The Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Nick Robertson have successfully avoided a potentially contentious arbitration hearing by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1.825 million. The agreement, announced Saturday, comes just before the scheduled arbitration hearing on Sunday.

The two sides had previously filed their respective salary demands, with Robertson seeking $2.25 million and the Maple Leafs offering $1.2 million. The wide gap between the two figures suggested a difficult negotiation, and the possibility of an arbitration hearing loomed large. However, both parties were able to bridge the divide and come to a mutually acceptable agreement, averting what could have been an unpleasant and potentially damaging process.

Robertson, 23, is coming off a season where he established a career-high 15 goals in 69 games for Toronto. In 156 career NHL games with the Leafs over five seasons, Robertson has recorded 32 goals and 24 assists. The Maple Leafs drafted Robertson in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.

By avoiding arbitration, the Maple Leafs maintain a positive relationship with a promising young player. Arbitration hearings can sometimes become adversarial, potentially leading to resentment and a strained relationship between the player and the team. This settlement allows both sides to move forward with a clean slate and focus on the upcoming season.

For Robertson, the one-year deal provides an opportunity to prove his value and potentially earn a more lucrative long-term contract in the future. He will be looking to build on his performance from last season and solidify his role within the Maple Leafs' forward group. He dressed in just three of the Maple Leafs' playoff games last season, recording one goal and one assist.

This signing means that Robertson was the lone restricted free agent among the 11 players who filed for salary arbitration who remained without a contract.