Is There A Spot On This Team For Robertson?

[Craig Button]

the problem Leafs have is that there is a spot for Robertson

 

[1specter]

He's about at the end of his rope I think. I'm willing to give him 20-25 games but after that he's gotta get bumped out for someone else.

 

[Maple Leaf]

They should play him and spark him might go on a hot streak and then trade him anyways

 

[crump]

McMann running with a top 6 spot now, Robertson is going to have to wait. Even McMann wasn’t great in the bottom 6 with his size. Robertson is just getting folded out there every shift. Can’t get time or space 5/5 to get his shot off, even on PP2 he hasn’t taken advantage. The bottom 6 only hope is to have Domi start producing at #3 centre he can get Robertson the puck, but that line would get caved defensively.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Give Steeves an extended run in his place. Steeves looked more dangerous in one game than Robertson has in all of his.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

They should play him and spark him might go on a hot streak and then trade him anyways

He's played in 16 games and has one point/goal. How much more do you need to see?

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

He’s been so disappointing. Yeah he hustles and plays hard but he needs to produce first and foremost. If he can never get his shot away then it’s like he doesn’t even have it.

 

[Stephen]

I don't know why this guy is still on the team.

He doesn't score AT ALL and that's supposed to be why he's there to be a depth scorer.

He doesn't hit

He doesn't fight

He doesn't block shots.

He doesn't PK

He's BARELY on PP2 but PP2 doesn't do shit.

He's easily knocked off the puck making it impossible for him to win board battles.

What DOES he do?

I was on board with him when he actually did scorer 14 goals in 56 games last season I thought he could get 20-25 goals.

He's been worthless.

His big calling card is just hustle right now. But even then he’s a small body with bad balance and not the best foot speed (he gets around but it’s laboured) so he can’t really weaponize his body on a forecheck. So it looks like he’s sprinting everywhere but nothing happens when he gets there.

At this rate this guy needs to be on the San Jose Sharks to get enough top 6 time to maybe get a toe hold on an NHLer with a defined scoring role.

 

[BraveCanadian]

I like Robertson but he has to play with a set up guy.

Knies Matthews Domi
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander
Robertson Holmberg Marner
Lorentz Kampf McMann

Come trade deadline, try to acquire a better 3 C

Yeah there is no point in playing Robertson if you’re going to play him with plugs

He needs someone to carry the play and pass him the puck so he can fire laser beams.

That said, every time someone posts a roster with Marner on the third line I chuckle a little.

 

[REALTALK81]

Yeah there is no point in playing Robertson if you’re going to play him with plugs

He needs someone to carry the play and pass him the puck so he can fire laser beams.

That said, every time someone posts a roster with Marner on the third line I chuckle a little.

I hear that but that line would need a better C to be moved into the definitive 2nd line. The 2nd and 3rd lines I mentioned could be alternated depending on match ups and which is clicking better that game.

 

[sunstersun]

Put him with Matthews and Domi.

 

[kevsh]

So it looks like he’s sprinting everywhere but nothing happens when he gets there.

Exactly this.

I've thought this about him from his very first look with the Leafs years ago. A whole lot of what looks like hustling just to impress the coach that he's hustling.

And unless he gets his shot off and scores he seems to have virtually no impact on the game one way or another. It looks like he's only put in the lineup because Berube simply has no other options right now.

 

[Niagara Bill]

If he has not found away to make a difference by game 20, it will be time for him to leave.
Without pucks in the net, he has no long term future here

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I was going to compare Robertson with McMann. I'm glad there's a McMann thread. He's such a great example of player development, and Robertson not so much.

For almost 2 seasons we've had fans singing Robertson's praises because he has 3 things going for him: 1.He's a leaf 2. He was drafted in the 2nd round 3. His last name is Robertson.

Look at McMann. None of those things are going for him. Thank goodness his coaches, pro scouts, and amateur scouts don't look at those things. They see what he can do in all situations. They can see (up close) his potential.

I think of all the things that Treliving did right this season, his handling of Robertson this offseason might be his worst.

Robertson is 23 right now, and most nhlers (on average) retire around age 28-30. He's not young at all now. This is not development time now. This is it. This is who he is now.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

 

[WTFMAN99]

Robertson is the greatest goal scorer that never scores goals.

 

[fahad203]

As of right now he's just another Chris Bourque. Good in minor leagues nothing in NHL
Hustles, sure....But that's about it.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I like Robertson but he has to play with a set up guy.

Knies Matthews Domi
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander
Robertson Holmberg Marner
Lorentz Kampf McMann

Come trade deadline, try to acquire a better 3 C

That's disrespectful to Marner to put him with those 2 scrubs.

You have him with 2 guys that have 3 points COMBINED.

I know hockey isn't all about offense but You don't put Marner with 2 guys that are COMPLETELY worthless offensively either

 

[Leafidelity]

Steven Lorentz has as many points as Robertson, Reaves and Holmberg combined. Steven Lorentz...

This guy and Holmberg need to sit for a while for some Marlies. We need to find depth scoring of any kind.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

the problem Leafs have is that there is a spot for Robertson

I think I disagree. Robertson is only playing because he's being showcased. There are a few marlies that can score 1 goal in 15 games.

 

[Divine]

He lacks hockey IQ. So many times his immediate reaction is to try to beat the goalie with a shot when there's a better play to be made.

 

[CincoHolio]

They should play him and spark him might go on a hot streak and then trade him anyways

Might? They've been playing him. What other excuse can be built in for this guy? He's just not a NHL player on a contending team.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Hopefully we give him a bit more opportunity with the injuries.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

I think he's cooked.

At least with this organization. Maybe moving him will wake him up but I don't think he needs a mental reset per se, he's just not good enough outside his shot and he can never even use it.

 

[Stringer Bell]

What is the biggest reason or difference between his play from last year vs. this year? I'm sure his numbers were a bit inflated last year, but he looked better - he really did.

Why is that?