Robertson should stay up permanently

[ULF_55]

What can he learn in the A , he's proven he's too good for that league, right now he's in the mix as a replacement player for injures or nonperformance especially when TO is on the road.

Playing him in the A will not make him into an NHLer, been there, done that.

He certainly looks like he could use playing time.

10 minutes a game for half the games.

They can demote him to play games (when at home) when he isn't in the line-up.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Jason yes, Nick not sure yet.

 

[Future]

One of the greatest weaknesses of drafting small players is that if they don't become top 6 players they have little value because of their size.

Simmonds because of his size and rep still has value when not scoring, that's not something that can be said about Robertson.

Kerfoot did appear to have value in the summer so why wouldn't TO try to cash into his value as a Leaf, 50 plus points, PKer, is/was trusted in all forward positions, the type of player that all teams including TO need.

Engvall moves the puck, PKs, can and has been scoring decently as a bottom 6er, has lots of speed and can decently play any forward position, can Robertson?

I think that all these players that are playing even tho you don't think they should, should give you an idea of how subgrade Robertson is in the eyes of Keefe and probably others, he's a scorer that has/is having trouble getting any puck touches during games

Simmonds has no value. That’s my point. Which is why no one will touch him on waivers.

Kerfoot is redundant on this roster because we have the same player littered throughout the lineup. I thought once we signed Jarnkrok that would be it for him because he’s essentially the same player albeit cheaper and without the baggage (poor discipline, bonehead playoff collapse moments, etc.). But we decided to keep him and now we can’t give him away. In honesty, we should have kept McCann going back to the expansion draft who offers similar qualities but also a legitimate scoring threat.

Your point regarding Engvall is true, but that’s assuming he’s playing well but he hasn’t been. Really unsure how Keefe can watch the tape of Engvall and not scream in the guys face for being so passive with his size. You don’t have to be mean but you shouldn’t be playing scared.

Robertson offers a true depth scoring threat at the very least which we don’t really have outside the big 4. He needs to be given some runtime to build that confidence and chemistry. Not sure what the hell you’re expecting from the kid in 8 minutes of ice time once a week.

 

[Shooter2x]

Malgin over Robertson made Zeke quit the boards.

Nobody is happy with the Robertson situation except Keefe homers

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Absolutely. Wonder if the memory of Tyler Biggs still looms though.

For every Biggs I can count way more Braccos that we missed on.

 

[Menzinger]

Absolutely. Wonder if the memory of Tyler Biggs still looms though.

Not just Biggs too. The Leafs have actually drafted a fair number of big boys between the Burke-Nonis-Lou drafts. I believe all of whom busted*

And that's not to suggest I'm anti-large players. But the idea that the bigger the prospect= more likely to make the NHL isn't true in the slightest

Edit: * upon quick review, not quite true, but close to it

 

[francis246]

Not just Biggs too. The Leafs have actually drafted a fair number of big boys between the Burke-Nonis-Lou drafts. I believe all of whom busted*

And that's not to suggest I'm anti-large players. But the idea that the bigger the prospect= more likely to make the NHL isn't true in the slightest

Edit: * upon quick review, not quite true, but close to it

Dakota Joshua is kicking around in Vancouver! He woulda been a decent 4th line Center.

 

[bossram]

Malgin over Robertson made Zeke quit the boards.

Nobody is happy with the Robertson situation except Keefe homers

Malgin is currently better than Robertson. So is Holmberg.

That's just the brass tacks. And exactly how I predicted in preseason.

 

[Lemontree]

Malgin is currently better than Robertson. So is Holmberg.

That's just the brass tacks. And exactly how I predicted in preseason.

I agree that Holmberg has been good in the role he has filled on the 4th line however I am not sure that Malgin or Kerfoot have provided anything more than Robertson (current form) could not provide.......Kerfoot is in because Keefe has comfort with him as a veteran player but let's be honest.......Kerfoot and Malgin and not providing anything that an average replacement player couldn't provide.

 

[Jojalu]

I agree that Holmberg has been good in the role he has filled on the 4th line however I am not sure that Malgin or Kerfoot have provided anything more than Robertson (current form) could not provide.......Kerfoot is in because Keefe has comfort with him as a veteran player but let's be honest.......Kerfoot and Malgin and not providing anything that an average replacement player couldn't provide.

Points yes.

Both are better defensively than Robertson right now

 

[Lemontree]

Points yes.

Both are better defensively than Robertson right now

You could definitely be correct......I don't think Robertson's defensive coverage is great, that being said.......I not sure Kerfoot and Malgin have very good defensive games but with the way things are going right now.......no need to make lineup changes.

 

[bossram]

I agree that Holmberg has been good in the role he has filled on the 4th line however I am not sure that Malgin or Kerfoot have provided anything more than Robertson (current form) could not provide.......Kerfoot is in because Keefe has comfort with him as a veteran player but let's be honest.......Kerfoot and Malgin and not providing anything that an average replacement player couldn't provide.

That's not true. They're both far better defensively than Robertson. Malgin is playing solid minutes on a defensive-oriented line and Kerfoot is trusted in all situations.

Robertson has a nice shot. But he isn't able to get himself in spots to use it. And that is the only tool he can contribute.

You could definitely be correct......I don't think Robertson's defensive coverage is great, that being said.......I not sure Kerfoot and Malgin have very good defensive games but with the way things are going right now.......no need to make lineup changes.

The Malgin-Kampf-ZAR trio has an xGA/60 of 2. Robertson next to Tavares/Nylander was 3.25. Kerfoot with those two was 1.33.

They're certainly better defensively right now.

 

[MAB1]

I still think they need to see what they have in this guy and let him play every day. Everyone knows Engvall and Kerfoot won't be here long-term, why not give their ice-time to Robertson and see what you have over a consistent period in the top 6. Is there really that much harm in giving him 20-30 games next to Nylander-Matthews or Marner-Tavares and seeing what happens? If the playoffs are what ultimately matters why not experiment and see what you have.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Hey Keefe, how's Nick looking?

 

[RoadWarrior]

One of the greatest weaknesses of drafting small players is that if they don't become top 6 players they have little value because of their size.

Simmonds because of his size and rep still has value when not scoring, that's not something that can be said about Robertson.

Kerfoot did appear to have value in the summer so why wouldn't TO try to cash into his value as a Leaf, 50 plus points, PKer, is/was trusted in all forward positions, the type of player that all teams including TO need.

Engvall moves the puck, PKs, can and has been scoring decently as a bottom 6er, has lots of speed and can decently play any forward position, can Robertson?

I think that all these players that are playing even tho you don't think they should, should give you an idea of how subgrade Robertson is in the eyes of Keefe and probably others, he's a scorer that has/is having trouble getting any puck touches during games

This hot take is way off. There's plenty of small forwards who are utilized on special teams.

This idea that Simmonds or Engvall > Robertson is ridiculous.

The only thing Robertson lacks is experience but it looks like they will have to have some injuries up front before he gets a fair shot.

Robertson's points/60 minutes is probably one of the highest on the team.

 

[DarkKnight]

Jarnkrok is a warm body on the JT line, a total passenger, doing hardly anything of note. God forbid the kid gets his shot.

Drop Jarnkrok down, bench Engvall and put Robertson back in. Engvall is embarrassingly bad this season, how anyone can ”watch tape” and leave him in escapes me. Omg, how can we replace the third forward group Pker? Please.

 

[fancy lad]

Jarnkrok is a warm body on the JT line, a total passenger, doing hardly anything of note.. God forbid the kid gets his shot.

Drop Jarnkrok down, bench Engvall and put Robertson back in. Engvall is embarrassingly bad this season, how anyone can ”watch tape” and leave him in escapes me.

It's insane how much of a free pass he gets. I was watching a play yesterday where he should have been battling in the boards and using his size to get a puck and he just casually skates up to the play and brushes up to a redwing player. He brings little to nothing.

Robertson (and Simmonds) would bring more to the team.

 

[ACC1224]

Jarnkrok is a warm body on the JT line, a total passenger, doing hardly anything of note. God forbid the kid gets his shot.

Drop Jarnkrok down, bench Engvall and put Robertson back in. Engvall is embarrassingly bad this season, how anyone can ”watch tape” and leave him in escapes me. Omg, how can we replace the third forward group Pker? Please.

He's always been a weak link, frustrating player to watch.

 

[snipes29]

Is he being sent back down or something? Idk, either way, he seems to be in and out of the lineup. I think he's proven he's an NHL player.

Not to Dubas and Keefe, thats why hes played so little! You see Robertson didnt play in the Soo lmao of idiots

Is he being sent back down or something? Idk, either way, he seems to be in and out of the lineup. I think he's proven he's an NHL player.

 

[DopeyFish]

engvall may be weak offensively and kind of dumb with the puck decision wise but he's pretty strong defensively imo

 

[DarkKnight]

He's always been a weak link, frustrating player to watch.

He will be a liability in the playoffs.

It's insane how much of a free pass he gets. I was watching a play yesterday where he should have been battling in the boards and using his size to get a puck and he just casually skates up to the play and brushes up to a redwing player. He brings little to nothing.

Robertson (and Simmonds) would bring more to the team.

How can the coaches not see that stuff on the film? He is just awful for that size.

 

[snipes29]

It's insane how much of a free pass he gets. I was watching a play yesterday where he should have been battling in the boards and using his size to get a puck and he just casually skates up to the play and brushes up to a redwing player. He brings little to nothing.

Robertson (and Simmonds) would bring more to the team.

Absolutely agree

I agree with your thoughts on Robertson and his role. When a young player is scratched for an extended period, I believe there is often a gap between what the coach wants out of a player and what management thinks the player can or should be. As you've laid out, the team needs to figure out what the expectations are, and if Robertson isn't able to meet that right now then he should be with the Marlies.

I disagree with your last paragraph about the draft. Whatever your needs are when you conduct a draft, by the time those players are developed enough to be knocking on the door of the NHL your needs may have changed drastically. Besides, we currently have space in our top 6 for someone exactly like what we hope Robertson can be. Unfortunately he hasn't shown enough or isn't getting the opportunity.

He isnt getting a chance Fat boy Keefe and Dubas only love ex Soo Greyhounds lmao

 

[fancy lad]

How can the coaches not see that stuff on the film? He is just awful for that size.

That's a good question. It blows my mind.

 

[Martin Skoula]

One of the greatest weaknesses of drafting small players is that if they don't become top 6 players they have little value because of their size.

Simmonds because of his size and rep still has value when not scoring, that's not something that can be said about Robertson.

Kerfoot did appear to have value in the summer so why wouldn't TO try to cash into his value as a Leaf, 50 plus points, PKer, is/was trusted in all forward positions, the type of player that all teams including TO need.

Engvall moves the puck, PKs, can and has been scoring decently as a bottom 6er, has lots of speed and can decently play any forward position, can Robertson?

I think that all these players that are playing even tho you don't think they should, should give you an idea of how subgrade Robertson is in the eyes of Keefe and probably others, he's a scorer that has/is having trouble getting any puck touches during games

Most of the big physical defensive players we drafted under Hunter couldn't even stick in the AHL. "Guaranteed elite third line floor" Tyler Biggs ended up as a middle 6er in the British league.

I'd imagine Robertson has better odds to re-invent himself as a bottom-6er if the top-6 offense never comes around than guys who top out as mediocre ECHLers.

 

[snipes29]

He will be a liability in the playoffs.


How can the coaches not see that stuff on the film? He is just awful for that size.

Because Keefe is a joke for a coach!

They did make a firm decision - Keefe has referenced this tough stretch to close out this month a few times when talking about Robertson; the plan was always to get him into a few of these games, and then re-evaluate at the end of this stretch.

I know that for most, he should either be full time in the lineup or sent down, and it feels like that will ultimately be a decision they're prepared to make by the beginning of next month. But I also think there's value in having this setup as a meritocracy, and so far, Robertson has not looked like a full time NHLer or one of this team's best 12 forwards imho

Robertson 11 gp2 g3a5pts limited minutes,Malgin 17 gp 2g2a4pts,Reese21 gp3g1a4pts,Jarnkrok5g3a8pts,Holmberg8gp 2g1a3 pts, Engvall22gp 2 g 3a 5 pts give your head a shake lol