Nick Robertson keeps getting scratched, and the Maple Leafs can't dodge the asset question forever
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs can't avoid it anymore. If they are going to keep scratching Nick Robertson, they need to figure out if he still factors into their plans.
Coming into Monday's game, the Maple Leafs needed to make a statement against the Atlantic-leading Tampa Bay Lightning and did just that, coming away with a 2-0 victory, earning their first shutout of the season and the first in Dennis Hildeby's career.
He was outstanding all night, the defense was spectacular, and although it was a tenacious affair between the two clubs, the Maple Leafs came out victorious.
Nick Robertson's place in the lineup is in serious jeopardy
But one player who wasn't a part of the festivities tonight was forward Nick Robertson, who was scratched earlier on Monday and replaced by Calle Jarnkrok in the lineup.
Craig Berube mentioned that his game had fallen off a bit and was giving him the healthy scratch in order to reset his mind a bit. Though he's been playing less and less recently, and played less than seven minutes against Montreal last Saturday.
It's a situation that the Maple Leafs know all too well when it comes to Robertson, as he tends to continually find himself in the press box year after year. So it begs the question: is it time to move on?
Right now, the team is barely using him when they do play him and it's a stark contrast from what we saw earlier in the year. While some of that can be due to being shifted down in the lineup, he still hasn't exactly capitalized on his chances when he's had them recently.
Robertson has 12 points in 27 games (6 points, 6 assists) and while has shown glimpses of the top-six forward we figured he could turn into; Max Domi has instead been placed on the top line, a place Robertson held earlier on this year.
So if they aren't going to use him for any extended period of time and if this trend of scratches and random lineup appearances keeps up, the team should seriously think about moving him.
Toronto needs to move on from Nick Robertson if they aren't using him
Many teams would be willing to take on a controllable young player with top-six potential, and many who can offer him more playing time. Toronto is lacking some assets right now whether it be picks, prospects or NHL-ready players, and Robertson could be used to recoup some of those lost pieces.
Take for example a team like Chicago. They could use Robertson as he fits into their timeline, and he would get ample playing time there. Meanwhile, Toronto could acquire a player like Connor Murphy, Andre Burakovsky, or Louis Crevier.
All three would add a new dynamic to the team either as a shutdown defender (Murphy), a top-six winger with consistent playoff production (Burakovsky), or a giant two-way threat who is still coming into his prime (Crevier).
While Robertson alone may not get those pieces, some combination of him, maybe a low-end prospect and pick can bring in what Toronto needs, while holding onto their premium pieces and maybe focus on other areas once they figure out something for Robertson.
Robertson is a cheap contract now, is a restricted free agent which gives teams more control, he's shown glimpses of top-tier production, and only 24.
Though Toronto would certainly benefit from putting Robertson into the top-six and ride with it, if they are going to be stubborn and keep flip-flopping, then maybe they should trade him to avoid any future headaches.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 1273 ANSWERS Nick Robertson keeps getting scratched, and the Maple Leafs can't dodge the asset question forever Should Toronto trade or keep Nick Robertson? | ||
| Keep | 644 | 50.6 % |
| Trade | 629 | 49.4 % |
| List of polls | ||