Leafs rookie comments on his injury history and his rebound season thus far
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The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Nick Robertson with the 53rd overall pick in the 2019 draft. After making his regular season NHL debut during the 2020-2021 season, the 22-year-old has battled through a handful of significant injuries that have undoubtedly hampered his development.
Robertson has missed considerable amounts of time with knee, leg and shoulder injuries since January of 2021. After being sent down to the Toronto Marlies to begin the season, thanks to Fraser Minten's surprisingly good training camp, Robertson posted five goals and 11 points in 9 games. On November 6th, the Leafs recalled Robertson and he has since found a home on the third line with Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok. In 11 games with the Leafs, Robertson has posted 3 goals and 6 points. Following a rare Sunday practice yesterday, Robertson was asked about his time with the Leafs so far this season and where he thinks his game is at.
"I know that I'm kind of slotted in there with Doms and Jarny, and I want to keep it that way and do my best every day to earn it and be consistent. I'm comfortable with where my game is at and what the team needs out of me, and that's playing with my speed, using my shot when I need to and getting a lot of energy out of us. Being consistently in the lineup helps that. It gets your flow and rhythm and you don't overthink things and you slow the game down."
In Robertson's previous stints with the Leafs, he found himself in and out of the lineup, unable to gain any consistency in his game or provide any real help for his linemates. He was used by Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe in a role that wasn't suited to his game, but has now found a home on a fairly offensive third line for the Leafs.
Many have pointed to his lengthy list of injuries since turning pro as to why Robertson has had a hard time earning a full-time spot on the Leafs, which is fair and understandable. When asked about the injuries though, Robertson downplayed them.
"Those (injuries) were just flukes and you move on. You do what you can to play well and pick and choose what battles to go into and do little things to protect yourself."
Robertson seemed to have found his place in the lineup last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against the LA Kings almost a year ago. He has done a much better job of picking the battles he goes into and how he goes into those battles, as he said, and it has worked out for him so far. The knock on him in the past was how reckless he could be at times, putting himself in risky positions and being careless, and it would appear that he has learned to control that recklessness.
While Robertson has seemingly found a permanent place on the third line for the Leafs, there is still lots of untapped potential offensively and defensively, but that will come with time as he learns to adjust to the grind of a full NHL season.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 4 | 560 ANSWERS Leafs rookie comments on his injury history and his rebound season thus far Should Robertson be given an opportunity in a more offensive position? | ||
| Yes, try him with Matthews | 179 | 32 % |
| Yes, try him with Tavares | 179 | 32 % |
| Keep him with Domi | 202 | 36.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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