Robertson Excited for Fresh Start with Familiar Faces

When Nick Robertson was in second grade, his school held a Biography Day, where each student dressed up like the person they had read about.

“I picked Sid, an excuse to wear the jersey, I’m pretty sure,” said Robertson, who also wore a Penguins baseball cap.

Robertson was a massive fan of Crosby, and even had a Fathead of the Penguins captain on his bedroom wall. It meant a lot that Crosby was the first person to reach out after Pittsburgh signed Robertson to a two-year contract on July 1. Fast forward to training camp, and Robertson has gotten the opportunity to skate on Crosby’s line in the practices leading into the preseason opener.

“Obviously, he's a great player,” Robertson said. “You know, just to learn from him and hopefully get some chemistry, but it was nice to go out there with him.”

It’s been a quick transition to Pittsburgh for Robertson, as he and his wife just welcomed their first child, which delayed their arrival here. But as Penguins Head Coach Dan Muse said, Robertson was excited to get to work and make an impression with his new team following six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

“Obviously, it's a change of scenery,” Robertson said. “It's a new way of life in every direction, but I feel good. I trained really hard this summer, and I think I'm in the best shape of my career.”

While entering a new environment can be challenging, Robertson will have familiar faces to lean on. During Penguins President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas’ time with the Maple Leafs, he selected Robertson in the second round (53 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.

“Obviously, when guys get traded, usually it's to new management, new people, and obviously here, he has a lot of Toronto staff, so I'm pretty familiar,” Robertson said. “It makes the transition easier for me. I've got some good dialogue and good history with Kyle, so we know each other pretty well, and it's easier for me coming in knowing him.”

Penguins Assistant GM Jason Spezza got to know Robertson from two different perspectives: as his teammate for parts of two seasons with Toronto, and then as a member of management with the Maple Leafs for one season before joining Dubas in Pittsburgh.

“Nick's a guy I know well personally, the team knows well,” Spezza said. “He's a guy that brings a lot of energy, can score goals. Just overall, a really good player.”

The now 25-year-old forward has made steady progress toward becoming an impact NHL winger. Over the past three seasons with Toronto, Robertson steadily increased his goal totals (14, 15, and 16), playing a career-high 78 games in 2025-26.

“I think for me, every year you want to get better, and just as a player, production-wise as well,” Robertson said. “Obviously, I had a good year last year. I want to do even better. So, for me, I just think building on my confidence, and the numbers will fall where it falls. I think when I'm confident, when I'm comfortable in doing everything I can to prepare myself for games, I think the best will come out of me.”

Robertson will be given every opportunity to develop and become the player he wants to be.

“I think he’s a tenacious player. I think it’s the speed, and I think he’s got a good stick,” Muse said. “I’m not sure if people talk about what he can do away from the puck and on the defensive side as well. There’s a lot of elements there. I’m really excited that he’s here, and it was great over the summer just getting to talk to him and getting to know him.”

From the jump, management was clear as to what they hope to see out of Robertson in this change of scenery.

“For me, the message was to come in and seize every opportunity and to come in just prepared and see where the chips fall of who I play with or whatnot,” Robertson said. “They said to just play my game, have confidence, and then have fun.”

Pittsburgh entered training camp with a lot of forwards all competing for spots on the opening night roster. For Robertson, he is no stranger to earning what he's been given.

“That's the history of my career in Toronto,” Robertson said. “It's nothing new. I think a competitive environment is good, and it brings the best out of everyone. That's been my whole career, so it's nothing new.”

Nonetheless, Robertson is excited to be part of a locker room that is filled with players who are all at different points in their careers, from Hall of Famers to rookies to those in the middle.

 “It’s kind of good to be in that mix,” Robertson said. “You’ve got a bit of excitement from the younger guys, and experience with the older guys. It’s a unique team, but I’m very happy to be a part of it.”