At a certain point late in the second period of their exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs just looked worn out.
The chances weren’t dangerous, Jakub Dobes wasn’t being tested and Montreal had somehow found themselves back in a game that nearly saw them outshot by a rate of 3-to-1 at one point.
And then Nick Robertson decided to take over the game himself. With about two minutes left in the middle stanza, he stole the puck off of Canadiens defenceman Adam Engstrom and went five-hole to make it 2-1, giving the Scotiabank Arena something to cheer about in an otherwise slow period.
The timing was perfect, because leading up to it, Robertson was one of Toronto’s most dangerous dynamic forwards – maybe even the best on the ice. It was an excellent effort for a winger who was in the headlines all summer long with a trade request and a subsequent trade request. By all accounts, Robertson didn’t want to be in Toronto anymore. But he ended up sticking around, and if he ultimately gets traded later on, it’s up to him to maximize his value.
So far, so good. Sure, it might just be the preseason, but his work ethic and pure strength with the puck have been a highlight for Toronto this preseason. Robertson still has to prove himself to become a legitimate middle-six threat after years of inconsistency. But if these early days are anything to go by, he’s got a real chance to secure a spot on one of the two wings on the second line.
“He’s been working harder on the ice than we’ve ever seen,” one NHL scout said. “He looks much more motivated, much more engaged. He’s playing like he has something to prove.
Robertson’s game on Thursday started off a bit ugly, pushing William Nylander with his stick in a play that resulted in Nylander missing the rest of the game. But from there, Robertson’s speed was on full display, and he was often Toronto’s most notable back checker. For a player who often got pushed around – and injured – early in his career, making yourself more valuable at both ends of the ice is exactly how you keep your name in the conversation.
It wasn’t a question of whether Robertson would make the Leafs, assuming he’s not moved before opening night. Instead, it’s where they’ll play him – and with Toronto lacking scoring depth on the wings, Robertson has a realistic chance at building upon his 14-goal campaign from 2023-24.
Nobody doubted Robertson’s skill. From his high-scoring exploits in the OHL to his immediate impact with the Toronto Marlies, Robertson’s ability to take over a shift at any given time made him so lethal. Showing it consistently with the Maple Leafs, though, has been a challenge.
Perhaps a coaching change is exactly what Robertson needed. It felt like Sheldon Keefe rarely gave Robertson the benefit of the doubt last year, with Robertson finding his opportunities drop a bit even after big outings. With Craig Berube in charge, it’ll be interesting to see how much he looks to deploy the 23-year-old.
But Robertson himself needs to make the most of this opportunity. Sure, he wanted out, but he has a perfect opportunity to bring his game to an all-new level in Toronto.
