With the saga of his offseason trade request now fully behind him, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson is ready to move forward with a different mindset and a calmer demeanour.
Robertson spoke to The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke where he went over one of the most tumultuous summers of his life and how he feels after signing a one-year extension in September. He did not explain exactly why he initially asked to be traded but he provided some insight which may help explain his rationale.
“It’s not that I think I’m better than anyone,” Robertson said. “I think I’m confident knowing how much work, time and effort, like all [my teammates], I put into it.”
There is no doubt Robertson has a lot of confidence and belief in his abilities to become an impactful player in the NHL, with the only thing missing is an extended runway to prove himself. That is especially evident in his answer to when he was asked if he felt that he has been given a fair shot in Toronto.
“I know that I’ve showcased, and that obviously, in order to be showcased, you have to be somewhat put in a position to succeed,” Robertson said. “So, like last year, there were a couple of overtime shifts, playing with really good players at times, I think I proved that I can play with them.”
The difference between where his mind was going into last season and right now is his attitude toward life. He spoke of how he used to worry a lot and let things get to him, especially when it came to reading what was being said about him on social media. When he was initially assigned to the Marlies to begin last season, it was an especially trying period as Robertson described feeling ‘distraught’ during that time.
What helped change his approach was a night when he got entranced by a Christian TV show that stumped upon late one night. It led him to gain a new perspective on life through conversations with then-Marlie Josiah Slavin, regularly attending church with members of the Leafs and Marlies staff, and reading the Bible. Robertson credits being sent down as a blessing in disguise because he got the calm perspective that helped him get through that turbulent offseason.
“I knew I was going to be back in Toronto. I knew something was going to be done,” he said. “I’ve learned that how I better myself here is different from how to better myself in junior. I’ve got to trust that I put in the work and then I enjoy it.”
Robertson’s extension may not guarantee he will remain a Leaf this season and beyond, but you can count on him making the most of the opportunity. The dust has now settled on his offseason dilemma and what’s left is a player eager to prove himself with a chance to become an important part of the offensive cog, which was evident on Thursday when he made a great solo effort to steal the puck, then scored the eventual game-winner.
The 23-year-old is getting more comfortable leaning on his teammates, having fun off the ice, and not letting his happiness depend on what happens in a game. He credits all of that with him feeling less tense on the ice and smiling more which, in turn, has resulted in a better quality of life for him mentally.
“I’m happy to be back in Toronto. I’m happy the way the deal went,” he said. “Coming back here, it’s like coming home.”
