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Maple Leafs Can’t Give Up on Nick Robertson

Nick Robertson Toronto Maple Leafs

This week news broke, yet again, that Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect Nick Robertson would be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing season-ending surgery on his injured shoulder.

It’s disappointing and frustrating on all levels as the 21-year-old had earned a few more games in the NHL this season and was seemingly finding his footing with the big club after a number of injuries prolonged his development with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies over the past few seasons.

Nick Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

The lack of growth to his game sparked conversations around Robertson on whether or not he was a player the organization should keep and continue to develop or move on from and use as a trade piece at some point during the year. Obviously the injury halted that conversation, and while he can’t be held accountable for his continued bad luck when it comes to the injury front, the discussion around his future with the Maple Leafs continues to be a talking point for fans of the organization.

With that in mind, even thinking of moving on from Robertson should be considered a mistake by the organization for a number of reasons — and it begins with his play when he gets consistent stretches.

Robertson’s Production Not A Concern

Say what you will about his preseason play coming into this season — sure, it’s just preseason — but Robertson cleaned up offensively for the Maple Leafs in an effort to crack their opening night roster. He finished with three goals and eight points in five games and, still, he didn’t make the opening night lineup.

But it didn’t take long. On Oct. 20, with his brother’s Dallas Stars in town, Robertson got into the lineup and tucked two goals, including the game winner in overtime. He played over 14 minutes and had four shots on goal.

From there, he had a short run before getting injured and suddenly he was fighting for a spot in the lineup again following his return. Still, Sheldon Keefe managed to get him into the lineup here and there, but consistency remained his biggest enemy.


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Before the shoulder injury he put up five points in 15 games, but he was being sprinkled up and down the lineup — line mates and playing time weren’t a consistent part of his game either. Because of it, his defensive zone coverage was sparse at times and there were criticism — albeit constructive — coming from Keefe as to what Robertson needed to do to get in the lineup and…

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