Craig Berube Highlights Surprising Standout on Day 1 of Maple Leafs Camp

As players look to make their mark on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster and fight for a potential lineup spot, most of those in attendance are trying to prove that they belong on the team's roster, fighting alongside accomplished veterans for spots.

One player stood out as a player who made a strong impression in the Leafs first formal skate as a group as part of their training camp, according to head coach Craig Berube.

Craig Berube gave praise to forward Nick Robertson as a player that he felt showed a positive level of play to start the first day of camp, momentum that Robertson will be looking to bring forward into the preseason and beyond.

Craig Berube described Nick Robertson as both «noticeable» and «intense», while playing on the second line of his group, playing alongside the projected fourth line of Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton.

Robertson, who has been fighting for consistent moments in the Leafs lineup but has struggled with getting a proper full-time opportunity throughout a whole season, is showcasing that his game at both a stronger level, but also while playing with linemates projected to play in a grinder, potentially a positive for him making the lineup.

As the smallest player on the Leafs lineup at 5'9, Nick Robertson has to earn his place a lot more than everyone else, and prove he's not a player too good for the AHL, not enough for the NHL.

With the Leafs fourth line still somewhat open, Robertson is someone who is fighting for whatever spot he can get, and if it's on the fourth line, he'll have to try and take it.

Robertson would need to showcase a physical presence to last on the fourth line, but his play after the first practice shows that he's seemingly working on that area of his game to allow him to play more of a defensive role this upcoming season.

Having been more of an offensive oriented winger throughout his career, Robertson could try a pivot to playing more defensively if it helps him stick in the NHL, and could help his overall game build into a more rounded one.

The emergence of Robertson early also challenges a few players who could have taken the spot, including two recently noted trade targets in David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok, as well as rookie Easton Cowan.

If Nick Robertson can take a massive leap it would be big not just for the Leafs, but for Robertson and a career that has struggled to properly establish himself as an NHL regular, and the adjustments could finally be made to allow him to do so.