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If Maple Leafs’ Find Nick Robertson the Right Fit: Watch Out!

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson started out with a bang. But he hasn’t yet exploded onto the NHL scene. What does he need to do so?

Will 2022-23 be Nick Robertson’s breakout season? There’s a chance. What the Toronto Maple Leafs’ coaching staff needs to do is to find Robertson the right fit. If that can happen, I have a feeling that Maple Leafs’ fans won’t know what hit them.

Related: Maple Leafs’ Trade for Coyotes Jakob Chychrun Makes Sense

Nick Robertson Started Hot But Has Cooled

When Robertson first came on the scene for the Maple Leafs, I wrote a post for The Hockey Writers asking “What if Nick Robertson is really good?” Robertson burst out of the gates by scoring 55 goals and adding 31 assists (for 86 points) in 46 games in 2019-20 for the Peterborough Petes. That season cemented the youngster’s upside in the Maple Leafs’ prospect pool. For a second-round (53rd overall) draft pick, he was special.

Nick Robertson Toronto Maple Leafs
Nick Robertson Toronto Maple Leafs

There’s no question that Robertson has a high offensive upside. He’s a talented shooter. However, although he’s been given a couple of NHL shots, he’s not been put into a situation that really fits him and his potential. But, might this be the season?

The Challenge Is Finding Robertson the Right Fit

The challenge for the Maple Leafs in regard to Robertson is finding the right spot where he can prosper. Similar to finally plunking Michael Bunting onto the first line where he had obvious chemistry with the two Maple Leafs’ big boys – Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews – Robertson needs to find his fit.

Or more to the point, the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff needs to find or create it for him. It isn’t that Robertson is needy or a prima donna, unwilling to or showing attitude when he’s put in spots that don’t quite fit his style or needs.

Quite to the contrary, Robertson seems to think he’s Mighty Mouse. He’s 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds; but, in his mind, he plays like he’s 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds. To his detriment, he thinks he can do everything.

What Does Robertson Need to Become Successful?

If Robertson is going to be successful, what does he need? First, as an offensive player, Robertson needs a center who will keep putting the puck in his wheelhouse. He also needs protection. As I’ve noted earlier, Robertson plays as if he’s capable of everything – he’s a driven player. But he’s also small and needs to remember what it will take to keep him playing to his offensive strengths.

The perfect line partner would be another winger who’ll protect him and help find him space on the ice. If the opposition is allowed to continually pound him, he won’t last. He needs someone to ride shotgun.

Finally, on the defensive side of the puck, he needs to become more responsible. He’s quick enough to disrupt, but he needs to be smart enough to know when to push and when to play safe. Early in his NHL career, to my eyes, he was a bit of a pinball who would try to make impossible plays when he was forechecking. He’ll get smarter as he grows. But he isn’t yet close to being a 200-foot player.

Related: HOW GOOD CAN MAPLE LEAFS AUSTON MATTHEWS BE IN 2022-23 – OR EVER?

What’s Robertson’s Upside?

Robertson has one thing going for him. That is, he’s cheap. If the Maple Leafs can take advantage of his entry-level contract and if he could score about 20 goals or 35 points, it would answer a number of prayers for the team.

While he’s not at all close to being the player Ilya Mikheyev was, could he come to replace Mikheyev – in his own unique way? An affordable Mikheyev replacement would be a godsend for Toronto this season.

Nick Robertson, with the Toronto Marlies

That said, Robertson is not yet a fully-ripened NHL player. Perhaps not even close. But he’s probably also past the point in his career where another season in the AHL wouldn’t help him. If he does get moved down, it would likely be because the team had to play roster moves, and Robertson is waiver exempt.

If Robertson Can Find His Groove, He Could Become an NHL Scorer

Robertson needs to become an NHL scorer. From where I sit, he’ll only become that scorer if he gets a chance to play – and lots. He needs to become comfortable in his place on the team. And, the coaching staff needs to create a space where he is.

If they can find a space for Robertson, watch out. Robertson can become a scorer at the NHL level. How to get him into games in ways that allow his skills to be made manifest is the key. Let’s hope the organization can find ways to do that.

Related: Maple Leafs’ Quick Hits: Salary Cap, Holl, Kerfoot & Kokkonen

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7 Comments

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