The biggest story going into training camp this year was Nicholas Robertson. After he requested a trade early in the summer, and later doubled down on the trade request, it was almost certain that he would no longer be a Toronto Maple Leaf.
Then, unexpectedly, Robertson signed a one-year $875k AAV contract extension before training camp. General manager Brad Treliving and new head coach Craig Berube talked with Robertson, citing new opportunities.
“Take a look at our left side, man,” as Berube put it.
Indeed, the Maple Leafs’ left wing is not deep with the departure of Tyler Bertuzzi in the offseason.
Let’s take a look at Robertson’s preseason, how he got into his current situation, and how he is on his way to being a productive winger with the Maple Leafs this season.
Early beginnings
Robertson is known for his goal-scoring. In his final OHL season, 2019–20 with the Peterborough Petes, Robertson scored 55 goals and 31 assists for 86 points. This production was good enough for him to lead the OHL in goal-scoring and he was named to the OHL All-Star team.
In the same year, Robertson made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the qualifying round of the NHL bubble. Robertson scored in his third game in a 4–3 OT loss, becoming the third player in Maple Leafs’ franchise history to register a goal before his 19th birthday, which had not been done since Ted Kennedy in 1944.
Despite Robertson playing well, he was scratched in game five by then-head coach Sheldon Keefe in favour of Andreas Johnsson, who had just come back from injury. We all know how this story ends, with the Leafs being eliminated by Columbus.
The injury factor
Unfortunately for Roberston, he would suffer a series of injuries that kept him out of the Maple Leafs lineup and their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. In January 2021, he suffered a knee injury that limited him to 21 AHL games and six NHL games. In October 2021, Robertson suffered a fractured fibula, which limited him to 28 AHL games and 10 NHL games.
Despite these injuries, you could see the potential. He improved from a 0.76 point-per-game in the 2020–21 season, to a point-per-game pace in the 2021–22 season with the Toronto Marlies. He also more than tripled his goal output from five to 16.
Things still got worse for Robertson. In December 2022, Robertson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, only playing two games with the Marlies and 15 games with the Maple Leafs.
The Sheldon Keefe factor
Robertson started the 2023–24 season with the Marlies. He went on a tear, scoring five goals and six assists for 11 points in nine games before being called up to the Maple Leafs. Due to the Leafs being a cap constraint team, and Robertson being waiver-exempt, Robertson was unfortunately at the mercy of salary cap shenanigans at times. Fortunately for Robertson, he did not suffer any major injuries like past seasons.
Robertson finished the 2023–24 season playing 56 games for the Maple Leafs, scoring 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. While this works out to only 0.48 points per game, the devil is in the details. Former head coach Sheldon Keefe would scratch Roberston for stretches at a time despite performing well. In addition, Robertson did not play consistent power play minutes, and Keefe had him play almost exclusively on the third line.
When viewed through this lens, this is decent production given the circumstances. Not to mention that it is no secret that the Maple Leafs’ bottom six have a hard time putting the puck in the back of the net. With these in mind, it is no wonder why Robertson was frustrated and requested a trade citing usage as a concern.
Robertson: Rising
Following a productive, healthy NHL season, Robertson entered camp with one goal in mind: To play in the NHL permanently. Robertson has played four preseason games and has scored five goals. This includes two two-goal performances and three game-winning goals. In all of the preseason games, he has shown his work ethic and compete level, which Berube has praised throughout training camp. Furthermore, Robertson has consistently generated scoring chances by using his speed and ability to pressure the opposing players relentlessly in the offensive zone.
The one criticism of Robertson has been that he needs to work on his defensive game. This preseason, he has taken the next step in that regard. You can see Robertson’s back checking in his first preseason goal against the Montreal Canadiens where he strips Adam Engstrom of the puck and scores:
More recently against the Detroit Red Wings, you can see Robertson rush back to break up the pass, which then led immediately to his 2-on-1 goal:
In his post-game presser, Craig Berube praised Robertson for his goal-scoring, but also his defence.
“He has been great. I think that he’s been really good defensively, and killing penalties and also producing offensively with goals. His speed is obviously excellent, and he has a great shot. He is using his skill and using his feet really well. Again, he is responsible defensively, which is great to see.”
To the NHL and beyond
There is no denying that Robertson is a skilled offensive player. But it’s also disingenuous to say that he has no defensive capabilities. He has improved his defence as is expected of a young player. Robertson’s preseason performance has earned him a spot on the opening night roster.
As the Maple Leafs announced further roster cuts, signalling that the 2023–24 preseason is almost over, head coach Berube and his coaching staff have a lot of decisions to make. Whether Robertson will play in the top six or bottom six remains to be seen, but it does appear that Robertson will have a good opportunity this season and not be shuffled in and out of the NHL lineup seemingly arbitrarily.
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