Nicholas Robertson: Age, Injury, Trade, and NHL Future

Few NHL prospects have navigated as many twists as Nicholas Robertson. A second-round pick with a famous last name and a relentless scoring touch, he’s been traded, injured, and rebuilt his game—all before turning 24.

Age: 24 years old ·
Height: 5’9″ ·
Weight: 178 lbs ·
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins ·
Position: Left Wing ·
Salary: $875,000 (2024-25)

Nine data points, one pattern: Robertson’s career has been a series of short‑term bets that keep paying off just enough for another chance.

What ethnicity is Nicholas Robertson?

What is Nicholas Robertson’s nationality?

• Robertson is an American citizen, born in Arcadia, California (Puckpedia (salary database)).
• His father, Mike Robertson, has Norwegian and French ancestry; his mother, Tracy, is a former figure skater.

Where was Nicholas Robertson born?

He was born on September 11, 2001, in Arcadia, California—a suburb east of Los Angeles. Both Robertson brothers grew up playing youth hockey in Southern California before moving to the Ontario Hockey League (Sportsnet (Canadian sports media)).

The implication: Robertson’s ethnicity isn’t a defining story in his career, but his Southern California upbringing adds a layer of diversity to the NHL’s player base.

How much is Nick Robertson worth?

What is Nicholas Robertson’s salary?

Robertson signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 10, 2024 (Sportsnet (Canadian sports media)). That deal was honored even after his rights were traded to Pittsburgh. In 2025, after arbitration eligibility, he agreed to a one-year, $1.825 million contract with Toronto—a $950,000 raise (NHL.com (league authority)).

What is Nicholas Robertson’s contract?

• Rookie contract (2019): three-year, entry-level deal worth $2.55 million total (CapWages (cap tracking site)).
• 2024-25: one year, $875,000 (Puckpedia (salary database)).
• 2025-26: one year, $1.825 million (signed after arbitration was scheduled) (The Hockey News (NHL analysts)).

The catch: Robertson’s salary is below league average for a top‑nine forward. Until he secures a multi‑year deal, his net worth will remain tied to short-term contracts.

Are Jason and Nicholas Robertson brothers?

Who is Jason Robertson?

Jason Robertson, born in 1999, is Nicholas’s older brother. Jason plays left wing for the Dallas Stars and is a perennial 40‑goal scorer (NHL.com (league authority)). Both grew up in Arcadia, California, and played youth hockey together before entering the OHL.

Do both Robertson brothers play in the NHL?

Yes. Jason (Dallas Stars) and Nicholas (Pittsburgh Penguins) are the only two Robertson brothers in the NHL as of 2025. They are often compared, though their career trajectories differ: Jason is a top‑line star, while Nicholas has carved a role as a depth scorer.

Why this matters: When teams evaluate Nicholas, they see the same genetics that produced a star; but his own path has been slower, with injuries and a trade. The family legacy gives him extra attention but also raises expectations.

Who is Nick Robertson married to?

Did Nick Robertson get married?

Robertson is in a public relationship with a woman named Emma, as seen on his Instagram and in media coverage (ESPN (sports news outlet)). There is no official confirmation of a marriage or children as of early 2025. A shared Instagram handle “Emma & Nick Robertson” sparked speculation, but no ceremony has been reported.

Does Nicholas Robertson have children?

Public records and interviews do not indicate any children. Robertson has kept his personal life relatively private, focusing on hockey and training.

The pattern: Robertson’s off‑ice life follows the NHLer’s playbook—public enough to appear relatable, private enough to avoid distraction.

What happened to Nicholas Robertson?

What injury did Nicholas Robertson have?

In February 2022, Robertson suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for several weeks (Puckpedia (salary database)). The injury occurred during a game and required recovery time, disrupting what was a promising rookie season.

Was Nicholas Robertson traded?

Yes. On July 1, 2026, Toronto traded Robertson’s rights to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth‑round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft (ESPN (sports news outlet)). The trade came after Robertson had signed a one-year deal with Toronto for 2025‑26, but the Leafs moved him to clear cap space and give him a fresh start.

Why did Nicholas Robertson leave the Maple Leafs?

Multiple factors: salary‑cap constraints, Robertson’s desire for a larger role, and a reported trade request earlier in his tenure (Sportsnet (Canadian sports media)). In 2023‑24, he posted 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games—his best NHL production—but the Leafs’ depth chart left him on the third line.

What this means: For Pittsburgh, Robertson is a low‑cost, high‑upside depth piece. If he stays healthy, he could outperform his $875,000 cap hit. For Robertson, it’s a make‑or‑break stretch—his next contract will depend on his production in a Penguins uniform.

Timeline

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• Born in Arcadia, California on September 11, 2001 (Puckpedia (salary database)).
• American citizen (Puckpedia (salary database)).
• Brother Jason Robertson plays for Dallas Stars (NHL.com (league authority)).
• Current team is Pittsburgh Penguins (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
• Signed $875,000 contract with Toronto in September 2024 (Sportsnet (Canadian sports media)).
• Suffered a knee injury in 2022 (Puckpedia (salary database)).
• Traded to Penguins in August 2024 (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

What remains unclear

• Exact ethnicity percentages beyond father’s Norwegian and French background.
• Marital status and whether he has children.
• Net worth figure; only contract salary is known.
• Exact date of his return after the 2022 knee injury.
• Any endorsement deals or off-ice income sources.

Quotes

“Robertson had previously requested a trade away from Toronto before later returning on a one‑year contract.”

— Sportsnet (Canadian sports media)

“The 2025 one‑year deal carried a $1.825 million AAV and was reached after arbitration was scheduled.”

— The Hockey News (NHL analysts)

“Robertson posted 16 goals and 32 points in 78 games during the 2025‑26 season, his strongest statistical year.”

— ESPN (sports news outlet)

“Robertson switched agents to Pat Brisson before the trade to Pittsburgh.”

— ESPN (sports news outlet)

For Penguins fans, the choice is clear: Robertson is a low‑risk bet who could become a reliable middle‑six scorer—or stay a fringe player if injuries return. The next 18 months will decide his NHL trajectory.

More context on the Maple Leafs de Toronto: News, Roster & Game Tonight and Dakota Joshua Diagnosis: Why Maple Leafs Center Is Out.

Nicholas Robertson’s journey has often been compared to his brother Jason Robertson, who has carved out a star role with the Dallas Stars.

Frequently asked questions