Nick Robertson on fire to begin his AHL season, making a strong case for an early call-up
For Nick Robertson, I'm sure that being among the final cuts at Maple Leafs training camp was a punch to the gut. Despite being a very promising prospect, Robertson's health simply hasn't held up and injuries have cost him a lot of time away from the game during key developmental years.
The one thing that injuries can never take away is Robertson's attitude. He fully controls that aspect of his life and he's no stranger to overcoming adversity. Now, having begun his season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, Robertson has taken his sword to the grindstone and is continuing to sharpen his tools at the AHL level - and he's off to a sensational start.
Robertson has scored twice and added 3 assists for a total of 5 points in just 2 games. His first 2 goals of the season came last night against his former teammate, Erik Kallgren, who currently resides with the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliates in Utica - though I'm sure he wishes he was still in Toronto right about now, celebrating Robertson's tallies instead of being on the receiving end.
With 5 points through 2 games, it's obvious that Robertson is looking to force the Leafs' hand here. He wants a call-up in a bad way and if he continues to produce at this ridiculous rate, he'll undoubtedly deserve one.
The path to the NHL hasn't been an easy one for the 22-year-old, who has amassed 31 games of NHL experience over the last 4 seasons - 5 if you include this season so far. Now it's on Robertson to ensure that he's doing enough to warrant a call-up, and once he gets his opportunity, he'll have to work twice as hard to grab a roster spot and never look back.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 16 | 92 ANSWERS Nick Robertson on fire to begin his AHL season, making a strong case for an early call-up If Robertson continues to perform at a high level in the AHL, how many games will it be until the Leafs are forced to call him up? | ||
| 5 games or less | 16 | 17.4 % |
| 6-10 games | 30 | 32.6 % |
| 11-20 games | 29 | 31.5 % |
| Just leave him down there this season | 17 | 18.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
