Nick Robertson addresses his bevy of injury issues
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When the Leafs had announced that rookie forward Nick Robertson would make his NHL debut in the 2019-20 playoffs in the Toronto bubble, there was a lot of excitement among the Leafs' faithful. Robertson had just racked up 55 goals and 86 points in just 46 games in the OHL and appeared to be a star in the making. I don't think anyone could have prepared themselves for how far off the rails the train would ride - Robertson least of all.
In the 3 seasons since Robertson's NHL debut, the now 22-year-old had endured injury after injury after injury, playing just 31 NHL games and 51 AHL games. Not exactly an ideal start to his career. Robertson spoke with the media on Thursday and revealed what it was like for him to have to endure so many injury issues so early on in his young career.
"It's been definitely a mental grind. Playing in the bubble as an 18-year-old, I wouldn't think this path would be the way it is, but the show goes on. This is the path that I have been given."
The goal this season is certainly to remain healthy. It's likely that Robertson, due to his status as a waiver exempt player, will begin in the AHL. If he can get into a groove early and show that the injuries have not altered his ability to be productive, he'll find his name on a short list of players who are most likely to earn an early call-up.
Last season, Robertson took a hit from Kings defenseman Matt Roy, which sent him into the boards shoulder-first, causing a significant injury, which required surgery. This effectively ended his season. Now, he says he's confident that he can get back to where he needs to be, though he knows it won't be easy.
"For me, I'm just happy with where my body's at and everything. There's still, obviously, getting back into practice with the team and the boys, it's been like 10 months, so you got to get the rust off and get your confidence back.
I'm not worried about that, I'm sure I'll get that through a few days and it was good to get a practice in and get the nerves out today. So, I'm happy with where everything's at with my body and (I) look forward to getting confident and playing my game again."
I'm not worried about that, I'm sure I'll get that through a few days and it was good to get a practice in and get the nerves out today. So, I'm happy with where everything's at with my body and (I) look forward to getting confident and playing my game again."
Robertson has done a lot of work to rehab his shoulder and one of the things he did to help him increase the strength of that shoulder was taking up boxing. A media member in Toronto had joked with him about whether or not this means we'll see him drop the gloves this season. Unfortunately, Robertson suggested that we shouldn't hold our breath.
"No, I'm not gonna do that"
At 5'9, 183 lbs, I don't think anyone was really expecting Robertson to fight anyway, but that doesn't mean that he won't play with the same focus, energy and intensity that he's played with throughout his young career. Hopefully he can avoid further injury in doing so.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 22 | 450 ANSWERS Nick Robertson addresses his bevy of injury issues Will Nick Robertson start the season in the AHL or the NHL? | ||
| AHL | 284 | 63.1 % |
| NHL | 166 | 36.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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