Is There A Spot On This Team For Robertson?

ITM

Out on the front line, don't worry I'll be fine...
Jan 26, 2012
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Well Alex Steeves looks like he's put in his dues. I think a spell for A. Nylander wouldn't hurt either.

Trade Robertson. Demote Holmberg.

I'd even kick tires on Pierre Engvall (with retained money of course).

I don't think its too early say that something in our chemistry needs a jolt.
 

robertmac43

Forever 43!
Mar 31, 2015
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I'd even kick tires on Pierre Engvall (with retained money of course).
To do what?

His whole issue is his game doesn't really convert well to the bottom 6 and he can't compete with top 6 players.

Plus he is on the books until 29/30.... That is so long from now.
 

Buds17

Registered User
Nov 29, 2015
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I still hope so. It goes without saying that he'll have to show more than he currently has though.
 

usernamezrhardtodo

Registered User
Mar 26, 2014
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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.
If he could stay upright for a whole shift that would help. We used to play the David Clarkson drinking game for a bit (he fell all the time) until we realized the next stop was the ER. If we did it with Robby I think it might be worse. This kid needs to go to SJ or somewhere to ply his trade without media overlooking everything he does.
 

ULF_55

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Feb 27, 2002
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Small and dumb is a hard hole to dig out of…

I think that is harsh.

Small and lacking in hockey smarts may be more appropriate. There are other small players who appear to be physically able to play in traffic. Perhaps it is also strength, or know how to leverage position.

He has a good motor, and a shot, and I think he can think the game within a narrow corridor.

Perhaps his coaches relied on his shot too much too early in his development?
 
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Larcos_Unal

Excuses are for losers
Jul 6, 2007
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I think it’s hockey intelligence too.
He spent all his junior career overpowering goalies with his shot and didn't bother rounding out his game at all. Not saying you can't learn, but Nicky gets manhandled so badly that it doesn't really seem to matter how much effort he exerts, he doesn't accomplish anything.
 
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seanlinden

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Apr 28, 2009
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I feel like I've been on this train since the 2020 playoffs... but as long as you've got Matthews, Marner, and Nylander in the top 6, there's really no spot for Nick Robertson.

McMann-Domi-Robertson SHOULD, by all reasonable logic, be producing. You've got a guy to dig for the smaller players. You've got a guy that is a pure playmaker, and you've got a guy who can absolutely rifle the puck.

Only being able to command 11 minutes of ice in his past 3 outings is not enough. Only putting 3 shots on goal in those 33 minutes, is simply not enough. I feel like the way Keefe wanted the team to play, that trio would produce... the way Berube has them playing, they're just not built for it.

At the end of the day, the third line does need some form of injection, but I just have the overwhelming feeling that Nick Robertson isn't it.

Maybe it's a real 3rd line centre... somebody that can either be a rock for a shutdown line, or somebody that plays a 2-way game which could be complimented by one of the leafs highly skilled wingers.
 

Stephen

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Feb 28, 2002
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I feel like I've been on this train since the 2020 playoffs... but as long as you've got Matthews, Marner, and Nylander in the top 6, there's really no spot for Nick Robertson.

McMann-Domi-Robertson SHOULD, by all reasonable logic, be producing. You've got a guy to dig for the smaller players. You've got a guy that is a pure playmaker, and you've got a guy who can absolutely rifle the puck.

Only being able to command 11 minutes of ice in his past 3 outings is not enough. Only putting 3 shots on goal in those 33 minutes, is simply not enough. I feel like the way Keefe wanted the team to play, that trio would produce... the way Berube has them playing, they're just not built for it.

At the end of the day, the third line does need some form of injection, but I just have the overwhelming feeling that Nick Robertson isn't it.

Maybe it's a real 3rd line centre... somebody that can either be a rock for a shutdown line, or somebody that plays a 2-way game which could be complimented by one of the leafs highly skilled wingers.

There’s absolutely a spot for a breakout young scoring player on the Leafs. If Robertson came up like a Wyatt Johnston or a Seth Jarvis and played like that, was that productive and fit into a game plan. Who would hold him back? He just brings a unique set of skills and limitations and can’t quite figure out the mix.
 
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Dreakmur

Registered User
Mar 25, 2008
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Orillia, Ontario
There’s absolutely a spot for a breakout young scoring player on the Leafs. If Robertson came up like a Wyatt Johnston or a Seth Jarvis and played like that, was that productive and fit into a game plan. Who would hold him back? He just brings a unique set of skills and limitations and can’t quite figure out the mix.

Exactly.

Nobody ever lost ice time because they played too good....
 
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