Is There A Spot On This Team For Robertson?
- Thread starter DitchMarner
- Start date
It’s time for him to move on.
SprDaVE
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Yes he does and he'll get going. He looked pretty good in most games this season despite the low goals and points. He adds speed and tenacity. He's a puck hound and works his ass off.
Berube complimented him plenty. Pacioretty sat out some games too, so it's part of the rotation they are going with since most players are healthy right now.
I get that this is a "what have you done for me lately" situation and his trade request rubbed people the wrong way... but he scored 15 goals last year in a very limited role and he can still develop further into a legit 20+ goal scorer in this league.
Berube complimented him plenty. Pacioretty sat out some games too, so it's part of the rotation they are going with since most players are healthy right now.
I get that this is a "what have you done for me lately" situation and his trade request rubbed people the wrong way... but he scored 15 goals last year in a very limited role and he can still develop further into a legit 20+ goal scorer in this league.
Nothing, he sticks on the roster because he's making peanuts and isn't actively harming the team even if the lack of scoring is disappointing. Maybe he'll get traded for an upgrade at the deadline but I doubt it.
ACC1224
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DarkKnight
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Yes. Holmberg was awful tonight. And I hate him on the PK now too, literally a body out there. I expect Robbie is back Thursday.
ULF_55
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Probably an insurance policy until the know what they have on the Marlies.
Every forward under contract on the Marlies have the same or less Cap Hit.
Every forward under contract on the Marlies have the same or less Cap Hit.
Everyone needs to keep in mind that they will need to drop a forward once Jarnkrok is back, due to roster limits. So one of Holmberg, Robertson, Dewar, etc. will need to be dropped.
Easily... 4th line has been bad, move Holmberg to 4RW, sit Reaves, put Robertson on the 3rd line.
Insurance depth, but he really doesn't move the needle.
If we were to move on from him I wouldn't be concerned.
If we were to move on from him I wouldn't be concerned.
He’s not an NHL top 6 guy and not a top 9 on a team who is looking to make noise in the playoffs either.
I guess I'm in the minority here. I think Robertson has been one of our better forwards: he's consistently engaged, skating hard every shift, he's been defensively responsible throughout his ice time, he's clearing pucks from the D zone with regularity, either by skating it out or by dumping it past the blue line when under pressure, he leads the team (according to Moneypuck) with only 1 giveaway - none in the D zone - and I suggest most importantly, is struggling with a 6.7 shooting percentage, less than half of last year's of 14.6% and an 11.2 NHL career avg. In essence, I'd argue that he's following Berube's instructions to the letter, 'become a more responsible defensive player'. That he's also not playing with the type of players who could best support his greatest talent, his shot, puts him at a disadvantage. If Berube continues to see this type of 'game' from Nick, and if Berube continues to go with:
Knies Matthews Marner
Patches Tavares Nylander
then I might expect a reunion of sorts with a 3rd line of:
Robertson Domi McMann
a line that had some success last year. Domi offers the creativity and passing skills Robertson requires to be a consistent threat in the O zone. McMann offers some of the power forward ability that would complete the line.
Knies Matthews Marner
Patches Tavares Nylander
then I might expect a reunion of sorts with a 3rd line of:
Robertson Domi McMann
a line that had some success last year. Domi offers the creativity and passing skills Robertson requires to be a consistent threat in the O zone. McMann offers some of the power forward ability that would complete the line.
Robertson would best be suited on the top line instead of Knies just not sure his play has warranted it in the coaches eyes but that’s maximizing his talent Knies isn’t maximizing his on the top line with them he’d probably be better on the second line though I wouldn’t touch it yet and the third line that he would make a line cause I’d argue he’s playing the best of the trio on the top line
Maple Leaf
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Unfortunately Robertson needs to score. Berube may have asked him to play a different game but if he isn't scoring why would another team want him?
Leafsfan74
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He has speed and a great shot. I think he's been fine so far, even pretty good some nights. He's been a bit snakebitten which is amplified when you can see he wants to score. Like a Domi, as long as he is defensively responsible, he isn't hurting his team when he plays.
Nothing wrong with sawing off against other teams lines until your line gets a bounce. Hell, some players have made a career or at the very least, been tasked with the assignment of shutting down opposing teams stars. This is where the 200 foot players shine, especially with coaches who watch the game with an eagle eye, seeing the details that even lifelong fans miss. He unfortunately isn't a physical player, but he can be good with his stick and hustle back to ensure he isn't a minus.
Berube has probably talked to him on the side and told him to keep his head up. There will be injuries, there will be players coming out from time to time be it Holmberg or someone else. He will get his reps when available. If there is no room for him he will be traded, though Leafs don't want to accept how low the return will be, if any.
He has enough games at the NHL level that as long as he is working hard, generating chances and playing smart defensively, he can contribute to wins. Look at a Pacioretty. You never know when a guy can have a big game. A few surprise big games each year from different players can go far in a teams success.
It's a long season. Far too early to write guys off. As long as a guy is competing and not complaining, he will get their chances.
My personal opinion in the past has been that he be traded, but he showed that he cared enough to have a great pre-season. I can't just disregard a players effort and desire to succeed.
Nothing wrong with sawing off against other teams lines until your line gets a bounce. Hell, some players have made a career or at the very least, been tasked with the assignment of shutting down opposing teams stars. This is where the 200 foot players shine, especially with coaches who watch the game with an eagle eye, seeing the details that even lifelong fans miss. He unfortunately isn't a physical player, but he can be good with his stick and hustle back to ensure he isn't a minus.
Berube has probably talked to him on the side and told him to keep his head up. There will be injuries, there will be players coming out from time to time be it Holmberg or someone else. He will get his reps when available. If there is no room for him he will be traded, though Leafs don't want to accept how low the return will be, if any.
He has enough games at the NHL level that as long as he is working hard, generating chances and playing smart defensively, he can contribute to wins. Look at a Pacioretty. You never know when a guy can have a big game. A few surprise big games each year from different players can go far in a teams success.
It's a long season. Far too early to write guys off. As long as a guy is competing and not complaining, he will get their chances.
My personal opinion in the past has been that he be traded, but he showed that he cared enough to have a great pre-season. I can't just disregard a players effort and desire to succeed.
There's absolutely a spot for him. He's been playing well.
Blast Reaves into the sun.
Blast Reaves into the sun.
You need 13th and 14th forwards, and if they've got some offensive ability then they're worth keeping on the 23 man roster. But unfortunately, that's all he really seems able to be. Yeah, he can shoot and is capable of getting hot, but two or three goals in five games and then a goose egg for 10-15 just isn't NHL regular material. He's more of a poacher than a play driver, and doesn't have the toolbox to impose any sort of will on the game. He's not helpless or inept out there, he's just not in any way threatening to a defense.
He's not a roster player on a serious playoff team at this point and needs to go to a bottom feeder if he wants regular minutes. He's got to be kicking himself right now for only having 1g in 9 games after such a fantastic preseason, but ultimately it's this exact lack of consistency that holds him back.
He's not a roster player on a serious playoff team at this point and needs to go to a bottom feeder if he wants regular minutes. He's got to be kicking himself right now for only having 1g in 9 games after such a fantastic preseason, but ultimately it's this exact lack of consistency that holds him back.
CabanaBoy5
Registered User
Holmberg has been awful virtually every game. It would be fine if he was just a blah player like Kampf on a fourth line, but he's spent quite a bit of time on the third line. He offers nothing offensively. He's not strong on the puck and is easily pushed off his skates. Add the stupid penalties and the boneheaded giveaways plus the poor play on the PK, and you're left to wonder, just wtf does he offer this team.
DarkKnight
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I think Berube has a thing for vanilla players that aren't really exceptional at anything, just hard workers, because Holmberg and Benoit have both been pretty bad yet continue to get games.
