Leafs Forward Benched Again, Raising Questions About Trade Deadline Moves

Thankfully for the Maple Leafs, they snapped their three game losing streak and triumphed over the Utah Hockey Club. Things don't get easier though as the team faces the Florida Panthers on Thursday in a must-win divisional clash.

So it seems the team is going with that which brought them success, as the team is rolling out a lineup sans Nick Robertson.

It's the second game in a row for Robertson in the press box, and it's a bit concerning why he's all of a sudden out of the lineup. He could fill in for Pontus Holmberg, and there's no reason to keep him away when the team needs as much scoring as possible against Florida.

So if they aren't going to play him, why didn't they trade him at the deadline? So much was made about Robertson's game turning around and him sticking with the team, only to be benched the following two games.

While Berube's lineup can change at a moment's notice, the fact he's keeping Robertson out again is troubling. He's a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and while Toronto could sign him, his inconsistency may lead them to entertain an offer sheet.

This season, Robertson has 17 points in 55 games (11G, 6A) and has been as hot and cold as a player can be.

He started off with one goal in his first 19 games, then had four goals in six games including three in a row; fast forward to his next 20 games and he has two goals.

Sure he's had some dispersed here and there, but there's no consistency. Granted, not even the most elite players score every single game, but it would be nice to see Robertson produce at a more frequent rate.

He's buying into his third line role as more of a spark plug and a physical presence even with his size. But the team needs secondary scoring beyond just the usual culprits.

Also, given his season long struggles, why haven't the Maple Leafs benched Max Domi once to give him a reset? A day off to recollect could help him refocus and get back to some type of offensive production, but asking to bench a $5M player is a tough sell.

Robertson's future with Toronto is murkier than ever, as he stuck around past the deadline but hasn't found his way in the lineup since.

If he wasn't sure about sticking around like he was previously, this certainly isn't going to help things.