Is There A Spot On This Team For Robertson?

[Ianturnedbull]

For the love of God! Trade him to Lou Lamoriello's New York Islanders!!!

 

[Voodoo Child]

Playing a more responsible game but looking at him he's not big, strong or fast enough to play like he wants, and he's on a deep team that has 5-6 other forwards who get 50+ points and a few more who can get 30+ and get 80% of the PP time.

If he had 3-1-4 by now he'd have some room, you turn back time and you trade him after the preseason.

 

[sxvnert]

No spot for Holmberg, Robertson, Liljegren or Kampf (Dewer or Lorentz).

 

[budzz]

Pitts and Dubas are swimming in pain and in need of a serious youth injection. Dubas would LUB some robertson to get acciari off the second line lol. Grab some draft picks (or even a bunting retained?) and Dubas would bite.

 

[Confucius]

No spot for Holmberg, Robertson, Liljegren or Kampf (Dewer or Lorentz).

How will we replace the 2 goals and 3 assists combined 5 points those 6 guys have provided?

 

[ihadtochangethename]

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

Knies is making pennies on the dollar and contributing as though he gets paid 11 million a year. The top players have been lack luster and streaky at best so far this season, and Knies has been the only other constant to Stolarz. I hope he takes them to the cleaners. Everyone else did.

 

[LeafEgo]

There's a spot for him at the moment and hope for the best but he's probably punted in some way as the year progresses.

I like seeing him on the ice but he looks like an AHLer trying pretty hard to figure it out.

My guess is he doesn't, but if he ends up potting goals on a McMann-Domi-Robo energy line that would be a blessing. Go Robo Go!

 

[Maple Leaf]

Knies is making pennies on the dollar and contributing as though he gets paid 11 million a year. The top players have been lack luster and streaky at best so far this season, and Knies has been the only other constant to Stolarz. I hope he takes them to the cleaners. Everyone else did.

Leafs have no clue how to manage the cap and will overpay just like the brady bunch

 

[meefer]

If you can't differentiate between the the utility of a 6'1" 200 plus pound checker from a 5'8" 180 pound player playing a checking game, I can't explain it to you.

Yes, it's almost like they've had the same career trajectories at the same time in their careers.

Zach: at 24 he completes his first full season in the show, 82 games, 98 including the 16 game stint in 15/16. 14 total goals (10 in the 16/17 season), 34 total points. 16:41 TOI in the 16/17 season. Points/60 that season, 1.227.

Nick: at 23 has now played...96 games. 18 total goals, 35 total points. 11:22 TOI last year. Points/60 last year, 2.543.

It's almost as if that at the ages of 23/24 the potential of a player is as yet defined. Zach developing his offensive capabilities as his experience developed and his opportunities to play with more skilled players grew. Whereas Nick having just turned 23 might finally be hitting his stride, developing the defensive awareness he required, and is now rounding into the more confident/capable all round player that we had hoped for, and if it continues perhaps he'll even be given a chance to play with more skilled players to see how his offensive talents can be utilized to help the team.

But, if you can't differentiate, I can't explain it to you.

 

[Stephen]

Yes, it's almost like they've had the same career trajectories at the same time in their careers.

Zach: at 24 he completes his first full season in the show, 82 games, 98 including the 16 game stint in 15/16. 14 total goals (10 in the 16/17 season), 34 total points. 16:41 TOI in the 16/17 season. Points/60 that season, 1.227.

Nick: at 23 has now played...96 games. 18 total goals, 35 total points. 11:22 TOI last year. Points/60 last year, 2.543.

It's almost as if that at the ages of 23/24 the potential of a player is as yet defined. Zach developing his offensive capabilities as his experience developed and his opportunities to play with more skilled players grew. Whereas Nick having just turned 23 might finally be hitting his stride, developing the defensive awareness he required, and is now rounding into the more confident/capable all round player that we had hoped for, and if it continues perhaps he'll even be given a chance to play with more skilled players to see how his offensive talents can be utilized to help the team.

But, if you can't differentiate, I can't explain it to you.

Zach Hyman and Nick Robertson have almost nothing in common in career trajectory, body type or play style or even strengths as players.

Hyman was a 4 year college player after being a late round pick out of the OJHL and didn't have his breakout until 22 at the NCAA level, playing his first pro hockey at 23. His career trajectory from grunt to 50 goal scorer is also completely unique in the game of hockey. Yes, there are also examples of other late bloomers like Mason Marchment, Carter Verhaeghe, who were ex-Leaf property but they hardly apply to Nick Robertson. He was a 2nd rounder who experienced a typical D+1 boom and has been mishandled for 4 years with significant injuries along the way.

This isn't to say Robertson won't breakout somewhere down the line, but to suggest he's worth holding onto because of Hyman's experience is just not practical. We got Dennis Malgin at 22 and we got Nic Petan at 24.

If you can't work that out, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

Short term becoming increasingly unlikely. Long term seems not.

If Marner is resigning our top 9 long term wingers would be

Knies C Marner
Cowan C Nylander
McMann C Grebenkin

Plus you have Domi floating around not likely built for centre ice who takes spot of whichever prospect isn’t ready. I suppose Cowan and Grebenkin could not pan out but I don’t see a long term fit for Robertson. He’s also not a fit on a 4th line or a Marner replacement if he doesn’t sign.

 

[ITM]

There was a time, I was entirely convinced that Lonny Bohonos was a player. In my heart of hearts, I still am. But my mind moved on a long time ago.

With Nick Robertson, I have never been convinced. The preseason moved my mind the other way, so I think there's potential. But it seems like he needs specialized circumstances to demonstrate his ability with consistency.

I would be very happy to be wrong and see pre-season Robertson return.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Yes. This team has a problem of not giving young guys minutes outside of Knies. Outside of point totals this is the best Robertson has looked away from the puck since going pro.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Benny’s been fine, some people’s takes make me laugh out loud……..

There is zero stats out there that paint Benoit as anything but a liability this season. The guy has taken a ton of penalties, loses his minutes 5 on 5 by a massive amount and is getting scored on a lot. Call a spade a spade.

 

[LeafGrief]

There is zero stats out there that paint Benoit as anything but a liability this season. The guy has taken a ton of penalties, loses his minutes 5 on 5 by a massive amount and is getting scored on a lot. Call a spade a spade.

Yes. This team has a problem of not giving young guys minutes outside of Knies. Outside of point totals this is the best Robertson has looked away from the puck since going pro.

Robertson has 1 goal in 9 games, while guys like McMann, Knies, and even Pacioretty manage to produce when they get opportunities. Should we be giving Benoit minutes with OEL to see if he can rise to the occasion?

Robertson looks like he has bees in his hockey pants and chases the puck like he's a bulldog playing fetch. He looks like he can hang in the NHL, but he doesn't look even remotely like a player who thinks that game at a top6 NHL level. Buddy can shoot the puck and has even skated it into some dangerous areas this year, but never demonstrates any ability to impose his will on the game. McMann plays more give-n-go's and is a far better poacher, which lead to actual production, and is a physical presence who is far more consistent at separating man from puck on the forecheck. Knies is on a completely different planet skills and impact-wise.

The spade is that Nick Robertson just isn't that good and people are treating him with the prospect gloves. He wouldn't be the first guy to figure things out at 23 or later, but force-feeding a player minutes is just robbing another guy (I certainly think Knies and McMann are better options for getting the plum assignments).

 

[Stephen]

There was a time, I was entirely convinced that Lonny Bohonos was a player. In my heart of hearts, I still am. But my mind moved on a long time ago.

With Nick Robertson, I have never been convinced. The preseason moved my mind the other way, so I think there's potential. But it seems like he needs specialized circumstances to demonstrate his ability with consistency.

I would be very happy to be wrong and see pre-season Robertson return.

There’s always a AAAA guy who comes along with just deserves a chance, but it’s usually not how roles are earned in the NHL.

 

[Leafsfan74]

The best small forward I ever saw play was probably Theo Fleury. He would put up 120 points in this league today. He was smaller than Robertson and had to score in a league of a clutch and grab physical players. He drove to the net when he saw space. Rolled off the boards with his quick, wicked snap shot for many a goal.

Ditto for Paul Kairya, who was dynamic but not as tenacious.

I'm definitely seeing more jump in Robertson game and a commitment to positioning and not cheating. If two more of his shots go in, people say, "well he's good for 20-25 goals, decent value for his cap hit." He misses a couple and we figure he's through.

I was one who thought there was no place for him here and maybe there isn't, but he's definitely had some jump and he isn't a minus player with 13 Min a game. So, whatever happens happens, but he is improving his game if my eyes are correct.

The reason I reference Fleury is that Robertson should watch some old Theo videos, especially when he was younger. He came in the league and looked like a kid. I mean he had to be 5'5 or 5'6 but he was a freight train with speed. By comparison Robertson would look like his big brother. His shot caught goalies flat footed and he never stopped moving his legs.

Robertson will be fine. Here or elsewhere someone will take a flyer on him, though he could end up with his best shot here in T.O. It's always up to the player to figure it out though.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Yes. This team has a problem of not giving young guys minutes outside of Knies. Outside of point totals this is the best Robertson has looked away from the puck since going pro.

leafs dont need any more soft players they need soul players

 

[Its not your fault]

More so today than yesterday.

 

[Maplebeasts]

leafs dont need any more soft players they need soul players

They have enough unskilled brutes polluting their bottom 4 defense and fourth line.

 

[RoadWarrior]

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.

Robertson is inconsistent in terms of effectiveness and finishing to start the season but the effort has been there. It helps that he’s earning league minimum.

 

[DarkKnight]

Berube had him doing PK today at practice, said he thinks with his tenacity and speed could add that to his game. Sure doesn't sound like he's an odd man out, and frankly Holmberg has been steaming shit on the PK, so we need someone to step up. I agree, he does have the repertoire to possibly be effective on a PK, why not?

 

[Voodoo Child]

Berube had him doing PK today at practice, said he thinks with his tenacity and speed could add that to his game. Sure doesn't sound like he's an odd man out, and frankly Holmberg has been steaming shit on the PK, so we need someone to step up. I agree, he does have the repertoire to possibly be effective on a PK, why not?

He's moderately tenacious and not fast at all, but he really suffers because he doesn't seem to be able to find the 'pockets'.

Mitch, Matthews, Willy, Domi and Knies can find the pockets. For a shooter, he can't seem to isolate himself and end up at the right place.

It'd be nice to have another guy for the PK but this isn't it.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Robertson can score 25-30 goals in the NHL but it may not be here. I would run this line as my 3rd line for a few games Robertson-Tavares-Pacioretty.
Mcmann-Domi-Nylander can be the 2nd line.

 

[Budz]

With Robertson there are a number of factors at play.

Size
Style of play
Fit with a line
Skills
Effort

Ask yourself what categories can you say yes to? I got a 1.5 out of 5.

He is too small, easily knocked off the puck and struggles fighting through traffic. Not even lying, might lead the league in most time off his skates/60.

Style of play is skill based, but is not a top 6 player in our team. Coach wants to play heavy North/south. That’s not him.

Fit in a line is not there right now. At the very best he’s 3rd line winger. In order for him to succeed, he would need a play maker to feed him (Marner) - and a big Centre who can carry the mail and make space for him. That player is currently not our team.

Skills. Sure, some. Elite shot and dogs pucks and tries hard. Not a checker. Not strong defensively. Not a great playmaker or make his linemates better.

Effort. Yes, all day.

Conclusion. I don’t see him in our lineup come playoffs. If he can moved - you do it. Other than that, he’s an extra (cheap) forward who slots in nicely for games against Anaheim in February.