Ex-Leaf tears Nick Robertson a new one over trade request and contract holdout
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro - USA Today Sports
Former Maple Leaf Mike Johnson had some harsh words for Nick Robertson regarding his current hold out as he holds firm to his trade request.
As we all know, Nick Robertson requested a trade in late June and clearly has his mind made up about not wanting to stay in Toronto. Thursday morning on TSN's 'First Up', former Leaf and current analyst Mike Johnson weighed in on the situation and he did not mince his words when it came to Robertson not changing his mind once Sheldon Keefe was let go by organization and replaced by Craig Berube.
"I certainly understand why he would be frustrated... Sheldon Keefe clearly didn't trust him and sometimes for good reason. Robertson wasn't the best in his own end," said Johnson. "I get the frustration. But Sheldon is not here anymore, Craig Berube is here. The fact that Tyler Bertuzzi didn't come back...
There is a spot very clearly in the top-nine to play his minutes with good players. Nick Robertson may want to rethink that because he could have a really good opportunity this year. He doesn't have a lot of leverage... If I'm him, i would be chewing on that pretty hard right now...and then I might want to reconsider getting to camp and putting my best foot forward."
There is a spot very clearly in the top-nine to play his minutes with good players. Nick Robertson may want to rethink that because he could have a really good opportunity this year. He doesn't have a lot of leverage... If I'm him, i would be chewing on that pretty hard right now...and then I might want to reconsider getting to camp and putting my best foot forward."
When Robertson requested his trade, many were confused by it given that, as Johnson said, there is a new coach in town. Couple that with the fact there is clearly an opportunity for him without any road blocks on the left side and it almost makes you wonder if there is more to this than what has been made public.
Robertson is coming off of his best season as an NHLer, scoring 14 times and adding 13 assists in 56 games, and as Johnson noted, he scored the second most goals-per-minute on the Leafs behind only Auston Matthews.
With injuries hopefully behind him, Robertson has the talent and now has the opportunity to succeed in the blue and white, but with him continuing to hold out and the Leafs reportedly working on signing Max Pacioretty, it appears they will either make Robertson sit out or a deal is closer than previously known to give him his fresh start.
Source: Hockey Reference
Nick Robertson Stats
Nick Robertson Stats
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AOUT 29 | 328 ANSWERS Ex-Leaf tears Nick Robertson a new one over trade request and contract holdout Do you agree with Johnson about Nick Robertson? | ||
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