Two More Maple Leafs Forwards Appear To Be Done In Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly losing not one, but two members of their forward mix, as it's been revealed Sunday evening that UFA Tyler Bertuzzi will not be re-signing with the team, and RFA Nick Robertson has asked to be traded.

Starting with Bertuzzi, the Leafs tried to work out an extension with the veteran forward after his one season with the team, but the numbers in the negotiations were outgrowing the Leafs' ability to meet them.

Tyler Bertuzzi won’t be returning to the Maple Leafs. His value has out priced Toronto. He will land a deal elsewhere in the 4 year and over $5 mil per territory.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2024

According to insider Darren Dregger of TSN, Bertuzzi will look for a four-year deal north of $5 million annually, and that is not something that GM Brad Treliving was open to.

As for Robertson, the young forward has faced injury problems throughout his short career, limiting his time in the NHL. This season, however, he was mostly healthy, but still found himself bouncing between the Leafs and the AHL's Marlies, leaving him extremely frustrated, and now wanting out, per insider Chris Johnson.

Sources say that RFA Nick Robertson has no plans to re-sign with the #leafs this summer and has informed the team that he would like to be traded.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2024

Johnson reports that the 22-year-old has no plans to re-sign with Toronto and has asked for a trade. He is coming off his entry-level contract, and as an RFA, does not own arbitration rights, so doesn't really have any leverage. We'll see if the Leafs capitulate to his demand.

Robertson proved himself a productive scorer in his minutes this season, with 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games while getting just 11:23 of ice-time per game. He added another 11 points in nine games at the AHL level.