The Toronto Maple Leafs will have some tough roster decisions to make ahead of the start of the season.
One player vying for a roster spot is Nick Robertson, who has produced offensively, but for whatever reason, hasn’t been able to have a permanent spot in the lineup.
Robertson requested a trade last offseason, but no deal happened, and his name has continued to remain in trade talks. But, NHL insider Greg Wyshynski of ESPN expects Robertson to remain with the Maple Leafs all season.
“This could be Timothy Liljegren 2.0,” Wyshynski wrote. “Please recall when the Leafs traded the defenseman in his sixth year with the franchise after Liljegren never really secured his spot in the lineup. Robertson, a talented 24-year-old, is also entering Year 6, having signed a one-year extension ahead of salary arbitration. He requested a trade last season. When recently asked if he still wanted to be in Toronto, Robertson answered, “Right now, I’m here.”
“And yet, he’s there,” Wyshynski added. “The Leafs have him competing for time in their forward group, clearly believing he can add offense to a group that’ll need to generate more of it with Mitch Marner in Vegas. The obvious call is that Robertson is gone sooner than later. So, we’ll take the bolder path and say he finds a role and thrives enough to make everyone happy for at least this season.”
There is an opening for Robertson to take control of a top-six role this season with the Maple Leafs. And, the insider expects that to be the case as Robertson will help add some much-needed secondary scoring to the lineup.
Maple Leafs Coach Impressed by Robertson
Robertson entered training camp having to earn a roster spot, and Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube has been impressed by him.
Robertson has played well in practice and preseason games, and the coach has liked what he has seen.
“Nicky’s a hard worker player that puts a puck in the net, right? He scores goals and he’s definitely a part of this team and we’ll see where he fits,” Berube said about Robertson. “Camp will sort that out and see wherever he fits. So right now I can’t tell you exactly where he’s going to play and I can’t tell you where a lot of guys are going to play. I’ve got to see how they look and where they fit. But I think he’s a valuable player and we like Nick. Again, he puts the puck to the net, works hard, good skater, so we’re glad he’s here.”
Robertson signed a one-year, $1.825 million extension with the Maple Leafs this offseason
Robertson Not Worrying About Roster Competition
As camp continues, Robertson is looking to earn a full-time role on the Maple Leafs roster.
Although Robertson is competing for a roster spot, he says his focus isn’t on that. Instead, he just wants to play the best he can this season.
“I don’t really want to go into it. I think that’s just part of the business side, talking to my agent (Pat Brisson) and taking the best steps for myself personally, and I’m just happy it worked out like that,” Robertson said. “It’s just what came about. I’m not looking much into it. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. You’ve got to work. It’s a contract year. If I sign an eight-year deal or one-year deal, my mindset is coming in and working hard and improving myself.”
Robertson recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games last season.
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