Nick Robertson Lands in Pittsburgh, Skating on Crosby's Wing

The 25-year-old winger was acquired by the Penguins on July 1, signed a two-year deal two weeks later, and has opened camp alongside the player whose jersey he once wore to school.

AI-generated · editor-reviewedSep 19, 2026

File photo: Nick Robertson, wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, gathers the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto on March 7, 2026. — Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Nick Robertson dressed up as Sidney Crosby for a second-grade Biography Day. He had a Fathead of the Penguins captain on his bedroom wall. So when Pittsburgh acquired him from Toronto on July 1, then signed him to a two-year contract two weeks later, it registered that Crosby was the first person to reach out.

Now Robertson has been skating on Crosby's line in the practices leading into Pittsburgh's 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."

The transition happened fast. Robertson and his wife welcomed their first child, which delayed their arrival in Pittsburgh. Head coach Dan Muse said the 25-year-old forward was eager to get to work after six seasons in the Maple Leafs organization.

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

There are familiar faces. Penguins president of hockey operations and GM Kyle Dubas drafted Robertson in the second round, 53rd overall, in 2019 while running Toronto. Assistant GM Jason Spezza was Robertson's teammate there for parts of two seasons before moving into management.

"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."

Robertson's goal totals climbed in each of his past three seasons with Toronto: 14, then 15, then 16, with a career-high 78 games played in 2025-26.

Muse sees more than the scoring. "I think he's a tenacious player. I think it's the speed, and I think he's got a good stick," he said. "I'm not sure if people talk about what he can do away from the puck and on the defensive side as well."

Pittsburgh came into camp with a crowded forward group. Robertson says that part is nothing new.

"That's the history of my career in Toronto," he said. "I think a competitive environment is good, and it brings the best out of everyone."