New Report Brings Bad News for Nick Robertson Following Maple Leafs Roster Decision

It looked like things were starting to turn around for the Maple Leafs' Nick Robertson. After being scratched in back to back games, Robertson earned the nod against the Seattle Kraken. He didn't score but it was a step in the right direction for the forward's confidence as the season draws on.

But it seems like one step forward and two steps back, as before Saturday's game against St. Louis, head coach Craig Berube is scratching Robertson in favor of Ryan Reaves so that Robertson can do some extra work on the ice:

It's certainly a puzzling decision but perhaps Robertson didn't feel confident, but after Toronto's success this season with Reaves out of the lineup, it feels like Toronto doesn't want to give their best team on the ice:

Reaves can certainly throw hits and fists for sure, but Toronto has been so much more successful when he isn't on the ice; he's that much of a defensive liability. Grit and toughness don't make a difference when you can't defend or catch up to opponents and are routinely a net negative whenever you're on the ice. The entirety of the Maple Leafs' bottom six has been atrocious this season, so taking out an offensive weapon for the sake of some extra toughness is perplexing.

Robertson looked like he could start gaining some chemistry with Max Domi, and given Domi's propensity for being a playmaker; he has to ability to unlock Robertson's goal-scoring potential. Consistently taking him out of the lineup for someone who doesn't provide a benefit does not bode well for success, and if Toronto is so desperate to have scoring in the playoffs, ignoring Robertson for Reaves is going to lead to failure. Granted, Robertson hasn't done much but Craig Berube can't afford just to keep someone he thinks adds benefit because it works for his system as opposed to putting the best possible player out there.

If Nick Robertson doesn't get some consistency in the lineup, it's both a detriment to the Maple Leafs and Robertson's confidence. Toronto could use Robertson, and just because he's slumping doesn't mean they should give up on him. But this is Toronto we're talking about, and if they don't start to see progress soon; it could be one of the last times we see Robertson in a Maple Leafs uniform.