Is There A Spot On This Team For Robertson?

robertmac43

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Mar 31, 2015
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My understanding, albeit not as apparently sophisticated as Lou Lamoriello's is that bottom 6 includes the third line. Per your quote, Lou said: "I think that what happened, simplistically, is that he's a top six, top nine forward, and..."

Are we in agreement that the third line includes bottom six players?
In the next sentence he literally says "he is not a bottom 6 player". Engvall is stuck in that spot of not having the skill for the top or middle 6, and not using his body and physical capabilities to be an effective bottom 6 player.

He is back in the show right now due to the Islanders injury struggles and hasn't looked great.
 

Menzinger

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Clayton Keller is 5'10", 175 lbs.
Nic Robertson is 5'9", 178 lbs.

There are quite a few players their size who are effective, Bratt, Pointe, ... it isn't size.

It's ability.

Yep

Marco Rossi on the Wild is like 5'9/5'10 and is nearly ppg this year while looking great on the ice.

We reduce the discussions on these guys to size way too narrowly when the reality is the cream will always reach the top
 
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ITM

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In the next sentence he literally says "he is not a bottom 6 player". Engvall is stuck in that spot of not having the skill for the top or middle 6, and not using his body and physical capabilities to be an effective bottom 6 player.

He is back in the show right now due to the Islanders injury struggles and hasn't looked great.
Yep. I mean, its a tough inference to reconcile for some, but if you're a third line player, you are a bottom six forward, however elevated in that bottom six you may be perceived to be. Not to say certain players aren't top 9 players without being a fourth line player level of talent, but Engvall isn't one of them.

At any rate, small potatoes.

As the rest of the original post noted, Steeves and A.Nylander up couldn't hurt could it?
 
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robertmac43

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Yep. I mean, its a tough inference to reconcile for some, but if you're a third line player, you are a bottom six forward, however elevated in that bottom six you may be perceived to be. Not to say certain players aren't top 9 players without being a fourth line player level of talent, but Engvall isn't one of them.

At any rate, small potatoes.

As the rest of the original post noted, Steeves and A.Nylander up couldn't hurt could it?
I just think the Leafs would struggle ti fit Engvalls role on to this team. If we were going to add something to the bottom 6 I would want more of a defensive player that can reliably kill penalties and play 13 to 16 trusted minutes a night.

Steeves and Nylander are both interesting shouts. I don't think Nylander fits the bill that I described in the above paragraph, but who knows, he may have some more to offer.

I still think the solution to the bottom 6 lies in Järnkrok's return.
 
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definedMF

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I thought this game was robertsons best game of the season. Was tenacious, making nice plays, creative. Winning more battles than usual was great to see for him.

Unfortunate that first goal was disallowed, he deserves a good goal. That third line needs to replicate that for 5+ games against some tougher foes and then we may have something there.
 

conFABulator

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Well, let's take last night's line-up and factor in Matthews, Jarnkrok and Dewar. Possibly Minten too.

I think Kampf and Jarnkrok are the odd men out.

What if we...

Robertson Matthews McMann
Knies Domi Marner
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander

Lorentz Holmberg Dewar
Reaves

Minten is first call up...we get a pick or two back and free up cap and ice time.
 
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sittler rules!!!

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Well, let's take last night's line-up and factor in Matthews, Jarnkrok and Dewar. Possibly Minten too.

I think Kampf and Jarnkrok are the odd men out.

What if we...

Robertson Matthews McMann
Knies Domi Marner
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander

Lorentz Holmberg Dewar
Reaves

Minten is first call up...we get a pick or two back and free up cap and ice time.
Rather keep Jarnkrok then Robertson. Jarnkrok actually did mesh with 34, albeit for a small window

Maybe go:
Kneiss Matthews Jarnkrok
McMahon Domi Marner
Patches JT Nylander

Lorentz Homberg Dewar
 
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Smif

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Rather keep Jarnkrok then Robertson. Jarnkrok actually did mesh with 34, albeit for a small window

Maybe go:
Kneiss Matthews Jarnkrok
McMahon Domi Marner
Patches JT Nylander

Lorentz Homberg Dewar
Please see Jarnkrok's playoff stats. Imo he can spot duty in the top 6 here and there in the regular season but we don't even want him in the lineup come playoffs.
 

Smif

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Rather keep Jarnkrok then Robertson. Jarnkrok actually did mesh with 34, albeit for a small window

Maybe go:
Kneiss Matthews Jarnkrok
McMahon Domi Marner
Patches JT Nylander

Lorentz Homberg Dewar
I'd like to see us acquire a 3rd line C at the deadline so we can put Domi back with Matthews. Someone mentioned Brock Nelson before:

McMann - Matthews - Domi
Pacioretty - JT - Nylander
Knies - Nelson - Marner

That 3c would be killer to deal with. Two big, rowdy finishers - I imagine Marner would excel playing with those two monsters in the playoffs.

Any other options for the 3c spot?
 
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conFABulator

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Rather keep Jarnkrok then Robertson. Jarnkrok actually did mesh with 34, albeit for a small window

Maybe go:
Kneiss Matthews Jarnkrok
McMahon Domi Marner
Patches JT Nylander

Lorentz Homberg Dewar
You know what? You are probably right. I think I take Jarnkrok's salary and term into account too much in my assessment. A healthy Jarnkrok might give us more that Robertson does. I would like to get a pic for him and the cap space and use both of those assets at the TDL. We have such depth without CJ in the lineup already.
 
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leafsfan5

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If Patches is healthy and we acquire a 3C I don't see room tbh. I'd expect this to be the forward lines:

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Patches - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - XXX - Domi
Dewar - Kampf - Lorentz

Though I'd want to switch Marner/Domi and spread the talent around. Regardless, NRob seems like he will be on the outside looking in once again
 

TMLBlueandWhite

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Canucks traded Daniel Sprong for future considerations.

Drafted 2nd round number 46th overall. 353 games, 86 goals, and 162 points. 27 years old, 6.00 feet, and 195 lbs.

Compare to Nick Robertson.

Drafted 2nd round number 53rd overall. 101 games, 18 goals, and 35 points. 25 years old, 5'09", and 178 lbs.

Robertson has no value.

If they waive him he might get picked up. He won't return anything in a trade though. At the end of the day there may be a spot for him on the Leafs simply by default.

There might be nobody else who wants him.
 

likecheese

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I doubt Kampf is going anywhere, he and Marner are a very good pk dual. When Holmberg and Knies come on, different story.
 

BobClarkesfrontteeth

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Canucks traded Daniel Sprong for future considerations.

Drafted 2nd round number 46th overall. 353 games, 86 goals, and 162 points. 27 years old, 6.00 feet, and 195 lbs.

Compare to Nick Robertson.

Drafted 2nd round number 53rd overall. 101 games, 18 goals, and 35 points. 25 years old, 5'09", and 178 lbs.

Robertson has no value.

If they waive him he might get picked up. He won't return anything in a trade though. At the end of the day there may be a spot for him on the Leafs simply by default.

There might be nobody else who wants him.

Spong was not getting playing time and coach wanted him gone. Similar to Liljegren. Robertson continues to get consistant minutes on the 3rd line. He has more value. That is not evne getting into Sprong is just a pp player who brings nothing else. Points are not the only measure of a player's value.
Kampf is another player that many on this site undervalue. His ability to play defence, win faceoffs and PK are going to be needed in spades if you want this team to play Berube hockey.
I still believe Robertson gets traded at some point but it will be in a package for an upgrade player that is a righthanded shot who can play some center. Jarnkok is not the answer if you want playoff success.
 

kevsh

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Nov 28, 2018
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Problem is that in their current bottom 6 they have very few players capable of producing offense. And although Robertson has not done much this season he's about the only one among them that has the skill set.

If they move on from him, then Brad's going to have to get someone at the deadline (or even better, before then) that can put up some goals. Otherwise, this bottom 6 is going to be a glaring & potentially crippling weakness come playoff time.

As we all know by now, you simply have to get offense from your depth and especially with this group where the top 6 can't be relied on to do it all themselves.
 
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DitchMarner

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Please see Jarnkrok's playoff stats. Imo he can spot duty in the top 6 here and there in the regular season but we don't even want him in the lineup come playoffs.

lol... it's not like Robertson's playoff stats are amazing.

I'd rather have Jankrok. By no means is he an exciting player, but he can score about 15 goals and 35 points and plays a decent enough all-around game. He should improve the top nine when he returns. I'd like to have an addition or additions up front to gear up for the playoffs.

Also, I prefer Kampf to Holmberg.
 

Evilhomer

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I suspect he eventually is traded (maybe around the deadline) for an upgrade at centre or on defense.
 

Stephen

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Problem is that in their current bottom 6 they have very few players capable of producing offense. And although Robertson has not done much this season he's about the only one among them that has the skill set.

If they move on from him, then Brad's going to have to get someone at the deadline (or even better, before then) that can put up some goals. Otherwise, this bottom 6 is going to be a glaring & potentially crippling weakness come playoff time.

As we all know by now, you simply have to get offense from your depth and especially with this group where the top 6 can't be relied on to do it all themselves.

I don't think Robertson is ideally suited to play a bottom 6 role and produce offense for you because those roles short circuit him. He'd have a better chance at being a reliable producer if the Leafs turned their third line into a more attack capable line, running a top 9 that can play. But they need players like Robertson to be better to run a top 9. Chicken and the egg.
 

TMLBlueandWhite

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Spong was not getting playing time and coach wanted him gone. Similar to Liljegren. Robertson continues to get consistant minutes on the 3rd line. He has more value. That is not evne getting into Sprong is just a pp player who brings nothing else. Points are not the only measure of a player's value.
Kampf is another player that many on this site undervalue. His ability to play defence, win faceoffs and PK are going to be needed in spades if you want this team to play Berube hockey.
I still believe Robertson gets traded at some point but it will be in a package for an upgrade player that is a righthanded shot who can play some center. Jarnkok is not the answer if you want playoff success.

Robertson has been a healthy scratch this year already same as Sprong was.

When he played Sprong was getting 11:40 atoi compared to Robertson's 12:20. Sprong also wasn't on the pp in Vancouver either. That's Petterson, Miller, Boeser, DeBrusk and Hughes.

A package would be the only way I can see them get anything of value for Robertson too because he's not worth anything on his own.
 

LeafEgo

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Oct 8, 2021
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I don't think Robertson is ideally suited to play a bottom 6 role and produce offense for you because those roles short circuit him. He'd have a better chance at being a reliable producer if the Leafs turned their third line into a more attack capable line, running a top 9 that can play. But they need players like Robertson to be better to run a top 9. Chicken and the egg.
Would just Marner work?
 

BobClarkesfrontteeth

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Robertson has been a healthy scratch this year already same as Sprong was.

When he played Sprong was getting 11:40 atoi compared to Robertson's 12:20. Sprong also wasn't on the pp in Vancouver either. That's Petterson, Miller, Boeser, DeBrusk and Hughes.

A package would be the only way I can see them get anything of value for Robertson too because he's not worth anything on his own.
Mcmann,Patches,Holmberg, and Kampf also have been healthy scratched this season. Are they all valueless now? Berube will use his depth to mix and match his lineup night after night. In case you haven't noticed he is a far different coach than Keefe.

Sprong got less than 7 minutes a game his last 6 games in Vancouver. He lost his spot to Bains and Lekkerimaki that is why he was waived. Robertson has been getting consistant minutes since the season started. Completely different situations and different players. Now I am not saying he is bringing back multiple 1st round picks but he has value.
 

TMLBlueandWhite

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Sprong got less than 7 minutes a game his last 6 games in Vancouver. He lost his spot to Bains and Lekkerimaki that is why he was waived. Robertson has been getting consistant minutes since the season started. Completely different situations and different players. Now I am not saying he is bringing back multiple 1st round picks but he has value.

This just isn't true... none of it.

He was traded, not waived, and here are his minutes his last five games in Vancouver.

Screenshot_20241111_211418_Brave.jpg


You've been wrong about literally everything you have said about Sprong, including him playing on the pp... just admit you don't watch any of Vancouver's games and don't know anything about the guy.
 

Americanadian

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Canucks traded Daniel Sprong for future considerations.

Drafted 2nd round number 46th overall. 353 games, 86 goals, and 162 points. 27 years old, 6.00 feet, and 195 lbs.

Compare to Nick Robertson.

Drafted 2nd round number 53rd overall. 101 games, 18 goals, and 35 points. 25 years old, 5'09", and 178 lbs.

Robertson has no value.

If they waive him he might get picked up. He won't return anything in a trade though. At the end of the day there may be a spot for him on the Leafs simply by default.

There might be nobody else who wants him.
Robertson is 23, not 25. He is trending towards Sprong-level value but he is still young enough that hopefully you can get an asset back.
 

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