At the 2020 NHL Draft, the San Jose Sharks selected Tristen Robins with the 56th overall pick. Since being drafted, Robins has recorded no points in the three NHL games he's ever played.
Robins spent majority of his time in San Jose with the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. In the 2022-23 AHL season, Robins was solid by recording a 38-point season, then recorded an 18-point season in 2023-24.
This past March, Robins' tenure in San Jose ended when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in part of the Fabian Zetterlund trade. Now, Ottawa has a decision on what to do with the former second-round pick who has struggled to get NHL playing time.
Robins is a restricted free agent this Summer
After being acquired from the Senators, Robins didn't get to play an NHL game. Robins will be a restricted free agent this Summer, but can have a chance at a steady contract from Ottawa.
Robins spent his entire Senators tenure in the AHL with the Belleville Senators. When the 2024-25 AHL season concluded, Robins finished the season with 24 points in 56 games.
The first 41 games of the season for Robins were spent with the Barracuda. Robins recorded 18 points in those 41 games before the trade.
Following the trade, Robins recorded six points in 15 games with Belleville. Robins was off to a hot start when he recorded an assist in the first three games into his Belleville tenure.
Then, Robins saw some struggles and recorded three points in the final 12 games. In one of the 12 games, Robins recorded a two-assist game.
Robins had to get used to being in a new system with new teammates to get used to playing. Now, Robins will be a restricted free agent this Summer.
For the past three seasons, Robins has had a cap hit of $797,500. That salary could be in the ballpark again for his next contract this Summer. A contract for two or three years could be an ideal route for Ottawa to see how Robins could fit into Belleville's system and see if his game grows to get more NHL action.
At 23 years old, potential is still there for Robins to get his game growing. However, it will have to happen soon for the 2025-26 season.