Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Nick Robertson (1 year, $875k)

[Stephen]

Credit where credit is due. He got on the board vs Montreal vs a more NHL populated roster and did what he's supposed to. Score goals. Had some dipsy doodle moments at the blueline entry on the PP that turned into a scoring chance for Montreal, which illustrates some of the risks and frustrations with the guy, but if he can actually be a 2 G a night guy once in a while that will buy him more time. Was buzzy out there but not beyond reason, looked good and has built himself some momentum and confidence.

 

[Guided by Veseys]

Perfect situation for the team thanks to his great play. They can get a high value return now or just keep him and take advantage of cheap and likely consistent scoring. It’s a win/win at this point. Glad he didn’t go to Europe.

 

[rumman]

Hope Robertson makes the team and has a solid year, they’ll be a place in the top six next year with JT and Marner gone. This will be his show me contract……

 

[Gary Nylund]

Hope Robertson makes the team and has a solid year, they’ll be a place in the top six next year with JT and Marner gone. This will be his show me contract……

I'm not confident that JT and Marner will be gone, but that's a subject for a different thread. I'm not really into polls but an interesting question to me is which one of JT/Marner is more likely to be on our team next season?

Edit - I decided I'm interested enough to start a poll.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840417054207234208

 

[Sypher04]

Credit where credit is due. He got on the board vs Montreal vs a more NHL populated roster and did what he's supposed to. Score goals. Had some dipsy doodle moments at the blueline entry on the PP that turned into a scoring chance for Montreal, which illustrates some of the risks and frustrations with the guy, but if he can actually be a 2 G a night guy once in a while that will buy him more time. Was buzzy out there but not beyond reason, looked good and has built himself some momentum and confidence.

Berube seems to understand that some trade off exists between creativity and defense. obviously you want to limit the puck getting turned over, but he seems to value hard work and competitiveness most. You can keep players and coach the risky plays out of your game. On the flip side, I think it’s turnovers as a result of laziness or avoidance that are going to get you benched and maybe called out under this staff.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Berube seems to understand that some trade off exists between creativity and defense. obviously you want to limit the puck getting turned over, but he seems to value hard work and competitiveness most. You can keep players and coach the risky plays out of your game. On the flip side, I think it’s turnovers as a result of laziness or avoidance that are going to get you benched and maybe called out under this staff.

Great post! Agree with every word, especially the bolded.

 

[Stephen]

Berube seems to understand that some trade off exists between creativity and defense. obviously you want to limit the puck getting turned over, but he seems to value hard work and competitiveness most. You can keep players and coach the risky plays out of your game. On the flip side, I think it’s turnovers as a result of laziness or avoidance that are going to get you benched and maybe called out under this staff.

To me, Robertson will be a player they have to actively manage: he has two sides to his game which don't always compliment each other and can negate one another: the energy checker, dog on a bone mentality and the sniper's gift.

Superficially, the sniper wants to be open, wants to ghost and pounce when the moment is right. Robertson also likes to handle the puck which isn't always a strength. However, the checker wants to be busy bee on the ice and chasing and wants to keep it simple and have the coaches trust in an energy role. So basically are you knee deep in the dirty work or are you staying above the fray so you can sneak in and score a goal.

Overall Robertson does come in at higher risk than you want, but if he keeps delivering then the rewards are there.

 

[Sypher04]

To me, Robertson will be a player they have to actively manage: he has two sides to his game which don't always compliment each other and can negate one another: the energy checker, dog on a bone mentality and the sniper's gift.

Superficially, the sniper wants to be open, wants to ghost and pounce when the moment is right. Robertson also likes to handle the puck which isn't always a strength. However, the checker wants to be busy bee on the ice and chasing and wants to keep it simple and have the coaches trust in an energy role. So basically are you knee deep in the dirty work or are you staying above the fray so you can sneak in and score a goal.

Overall Robertson does come in at higher risk than you want, but if he keeps delivering then the rewards are there.

If they cannot marry the two sides of the player overtime, then they’ll have to find way to insulate him in the lineup. Like putting him with strong defensive forwards or making sure to have a player behind him on the powerplay.

I’m willing to bet Nick figures it out with experience though

 

[Its not your fault]

As I've always said he has an NHL shot, probably top 3 on the team if not top 5 of all players on the roster since he's been here. You start to question if you build a line around him, worst case you have Phil Kessel lite. Best case 2.0. in fact I'll go out on a limb and say since Kessels days even the best shots on this team have been. Matthews Kessel Robertson.
If Burtz is the really the only Net minus that we didn't get better return for or free agent signing. I could see this guy might be able to change that saying too a blessing in disguise. Small bonus you know Dallas will always have a silent interest in this guy. He also was very much the Go to Player for the Pete's when he was here and it is a hockey town. I can see Toronto not having an effect on him. He wants playing time might as well see what we have. He signed for reasonable amount and didn't take the hold out into training camp. Probably less money then arbitration would have awarded. Hope he does well he's worth the risk imo.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Berube seems to understand that some trade off exists between creativity and defense. obviously you want to limit the puck getting turned over, but he seems to value hard work and competitiveness most. You can keep players and coach the risky plays out of your game. On the flip side, I think it’s turnovers as a result of laziness or avoidance that are going to get you benched and maybe called out under this staff.

Lest we forget the man helped nurture and develop Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. This isn't his first time working with offensively gifted young players and turning them into capable NHLers.

 

[horner]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840417054207234208

Keep it up Nick

 

[weems]

Berube seems to understand that some trade off exists between creativity and defense. obviously you want to limit the puck getting turned over, but he seems to value hard work and competitiveness most. You can keep players and coach the risky plays out of your game. On the flip side, I think it’s turnovers as a result of laziness or avoidance that are going to get you benched and maybe called out under this staff.

We also need to be very careful that in the pursuit of getting tougher, more physical, more intense, that we don't become too slow or have almost no firepower outside of the big 5.

Robertson is the one player we have outside of that group that has legitimate offensive upside and not being able to score in the playoffs has been one of our undoings.

Hopefully playing under a new coach can bring out the best and if he produces, he should get playing time in crucial spots.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Impressive

 

[DarkKnight]

He isn't a heavy player, but he's a gritty competitor. There no question Berube is taking a shine to him.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Berube doesn't have the tools to play heavy but Robertson is a huge upgrade on Jarnkrok. Robertson has speed and in today's NHL you need that. Could be 25 goals this year.

 

[ACC1224]

He isn't a heavy player, but he's a gritty competitor. There no question Berube is taking a shine to him.

I wasn't a fan but I'm starting to as well.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Hope Robertson makes the team and has a solid year, they’ll be a place in the top six next year with JT and Marner gone. This will be his show me contract……

This is the same mistake they have made with him up until now.

Robertson is a top 6 or bust player.

You have to play him in an offensive role and on the PP to get the benefit of his strengths. Don't saddle him with the plugs on the 3rd and 4th lines. He'll produce more than he costs - especially if he's played with others who can cover up some of his defensive deficiencies. The guy is a natural goal scorer with a rocket shot. You can't teach that. Use him. He'll get better defensively as he goes.

 

[Maple Leaf]

maybe i was wrong and he has some jason roberston in him after all

 

[Knies iT]

Ignore the name plate and just focus on his trajectory - you have a player that dominated the OHL, AHL, and posted .5PPG in his 22 year old NHL season. All signs point to a mainstay middle sixer at worst and he looks the part at 23 from the eye test.

Biggest takeaway from camp is he's grown into his body. He's ~180lbs now, made strides last year in terms of being healthy and staying on his feet, and looks like he took another step in being able to handle physicality so far in pre-season. He's stronger on his skates and less weak on the puck.

There will be warts defensively and some inconsistency offensively, but his motor and game breaking shot are assets to this team. Keefe rushed him into that CBJ playoff series and subsequent camps which skewed how people should realistically view a late 2nd rounder. Fans should keep this in mind with Cowan.

 

[LeafSteel]

Berube seems to understand that some trade off exists between creativity and defense. obviously you want to limit the puck getting turned over, but he seems to value hard work and competitiveness most. You can keep players and coach the risky plays out of your game. On the flip side, I think it’s turnovers as a result of laziness or avoidance that are going to get you benched and maybe called out under this staff.

This is exactly why how they have handled Robertson has been so frustrating up until now.

Kid has some real skill and attacks every challenge you put on his plate.

His determination is off the charts and something we need more of in our lineup, not less.

What he doesn’t have is a lot of NHl gameplay experience, which is what he needs to continue to develop as an NHL player.

He needs to be an everyday player, on a line with nHL talent that will compliment his talent, not a mishmash 4th line that sees 7 minutes a game, or bunted down to the Marlies for AAAA players like Malgin to start.

I hope this kid gets a real chance to develop and become what he can become here for us. It would be another stupid mishandling of another player for us if he is let go. We have more than enough of that crap.

Really hoping the kid has a great breakout season here. If he refuses to stay, then we have to get a real asset back for him, but hopefully he stays when he sees he is an important player here going forward and we are done yanking him around.

 

[mclaren55]

I originally wasn't big on him. However watching him play (I know I know, it's pre-season) he seems to be more balanced on his feet and not getting rag-dolled. Glad to see it. His shot was always great. I think the improvement in his skating and stability is going to help him a lot this year.

 

[Nineteen67]

I originally wasn't big on him. However watching him play (I know I know, it's pre-season) he seems to be more balanced on his feet and not getting rag-dolled. Glad to see it. His shot was always great. I think the improvement in his skating and stability is going to help him a lot this year.

I would give him a shot and see what he can do this season, but more importantly, in the playoffs. If he doesn’t get push out like Marner and ( to some extent) Matthews do then you have a solid piece.
If it doesn’t work, you move on.

 

[LeafGrief]

Can't do much more in a preseason game than be the best player on the ice. I don't think there was ever much doubt that he'd make the team if he was here, but he does have to fight for his coach's confidence and his place in the pecking order for when the opportunities come.

Tbh, unless he takes a massive leap in development this year (fingers crossed) and proves to be a 30g threat, I don't think he's long for the Leafs. He's probably an NHL'er and even a middle sixer, but there's a big difference between a middle sixer on weak team versus a contender. That said, regardless of what his future holds, he's making peanuts this year and having some scoring depth is a great tool to have in the coach's toolbox.

Robertson is a guy that we're all cheering for. He works hard out there and has the pieces to be a player. Hope he does it with us.

 

[Stringer Bell]

Could he turn into Frank Vatrano?