Nick Robertson's Future With the Maple Leafs Now in Serious Doubt
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Nick Robertson is still waiting for his arbitration case to finish up, but it might not make a huge difference if there isn't a spot for him in the lineup.
With all the talk about who the Maple Leafs might bring in to help their offense, they certainly have some internal options who could help out and bring that scoring presence the team needs.
For Nick Robertson, he hasn't been given a swath of opportunities, though when he's been on, he's been on. A sizzling preseason last year was supposed to translate to a big season but it wasn't meant to be.
So with him waiting for his arbitration case to find out his next contract, there's questions about where he fits in the lineup, and with a bevy of new names in the fray, does he even have a spot in the bottom six.
That arbitration case gets even more interesting now given the Buffalo Sabres re-signed RFA Conor Timmins (a former Leaf himself) to a two-year, $2.2-million deal.
Analyst and podcaster Steve Dangle has a feeling that Robertson, who has much higher potential and upside, could end up cashing in; a huge concern considering his lack of spot in the lineup.
A Logjam in the Bottom Six Leaves Little Room to Breathe
Robertson last season had the luxury of being able to play on the third line due to an injury to Calle Jarnkrok and Toronto having some less than ideal depth. Now, that depth is remarkably different, and there's a clear direction the team is going.
Adding Michael Pezzetta, Dakota Joshua, Travis Boyd, and Vinni Lettieri were meant to bring in extra depth, and with guys like Matias Maccelli and Nic Roy a lock in the lineup; the place for Robertson looks even drearier.
Here's how a potential lineup would go if none of the pieces were moved (Kampf/Jarnkrok):
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Maccelli - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - McMann
Pezzetta/Jarnkrok - Laughton/Kampf - Lorentz
If Toronto doesn't get rid of Kampf and Jarnkrok, it looks like the former might end up anchoring the fourth line and Laughton slides to the wing, moving Pezzetta to being the 13th forward.
Where does Robertson fit it? He could go back on the third line but Bobby McMann has proven he can produce, meanwhile Roy and Joshua are too good to be on Toronto's fourth line.
Sure, he had 15 goals last season, but that came at such a hot and cold pace that he went three straight with a goal but also 20 without; it's hard to gauge his impact due to those inconsistencies.
Plus, we know the type of line Craig Berube wants in that bottom grouping; a high energy, physical, gritty trio; does Robertson and his 5'9, 180 pound frame fit into that game plan? It's unlikely.
Trade Value vs. Development: What Should the Leafs Do?
So that means the team needs to get rid of him ASAP and sell on whatever little hype he has left.
Is he going to fetch a top-six forward? He might, depending on who Toronto would target to replace him/improve their forward group (mainly Domi) and his constant trade requests and unhappiness with playing time means he'd likely enjoy a change of scenery.
Sure, he's 23 and still has years to develop, and it might behoove Toronto to accept what they have and work with Robertson to maximize his potential under Berube.
But the team isn't rebuilding, or looking to see where Robertson is four or five years from now, they are looking to win now. If the team doesn't find a fit for him now, how does that change going into a stacked 2026 free agency class?
Toronto needs to try and sell on Nick Robertson's hype, regardless of what it is at this point.
His potential is enticing, but so is winning a Stanley Cup, and Robertson might end up being a casualty on the road towards achieving that goal.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 27 | 1169 ANSWERS Nick Robertson's Future With the Maple Leafs Now in Serious Doubt Would you put Nicholas Robertson in the lineup? | ||
| Yes | 647 | 55.3 % |
| No | 522 | 44.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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