ESPN reports that a top Maple Leafs player has rejected a new contract offer and confirmed his desire to leave the team.

Forward for the Maple Leafs requests a trade but won’t resign

NHL insider Chris Johnston reports that forward Nick Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs has asked to be traded. After being selected in the 2019 draft, Robertson, a future restricted free agent, finished his three-year, $2.56 million entry-level deal. Robertson has requested to be transferred and has notified Toronto that he does not want to re-sign as free agency looms on July 1.

According to sources, RFA Nick Robertson has told the Leafs that he would want to be traded and has no intention of re-signing with them this summer, according to Johnston’s story.

Though he played a career-high 56 games last season, Robertson has failed to establish a regular spot in the lineup. Nevertheless, he appeared in six of the seven postseason games. During the regular season, he scored 27 points with 14 goals and 13 assists, but he was scoreless in the postseason.

The 22-year-old Robertson, who was selected by Toronto with the 53rd pick in the 2019 NHL draft, had not had any contract talks with the Maple Leafs this season. Robertson stated that he was focused on playing and was not concerned about talks in a Q&A with Sportsnet on April 11.

Nothing significant. This [negotiation] is my first. I don’t really know how this process operates, so I can’t claim that I’m worried about it now. However, I’ve not received any word. I only engage in play. Though knowing that my agency will handle everything is kind of pleasant. Robertson remarked, “I want to play and let him worry about that.”

Robertson stated that he would want to focus on his play during the season rather than negotiations over a contract. “I will determine how I handle that over the course of the summer. I’m simply concerned with how I’m playing right now, but I’ll want to know what will be happening. Not even tomorrow worries me. “Today worries me,” he uttered.

Robertson has participated in 87 NHL games, scoring 34 points (17 goals and 17 assists).

Max Domi Re-Signs in Toronto

Max Domi was re-signed by the Maple Leafs on June 30 for a four-year contract worth $3.75 million a season. On July 2, 2023, Domi signed a one-year contract for $3 million with Toronto. In his debut season, he finished with 9 goals, 38 assists, and 47 points in 80 games. He has participated in 661 regular-season games in his career, scoring 417 points (130 goals, 287 assists) with his teammates.