Leafs Defenseman Attempting to Help Nick Robertson Unlock Some Hidden Potential

Nick Robertson is currently playing in his 5th season for the Toronto Maple Leafs and while it hasn't been an easy road for the 23-year-old former second round selection, he has remained a consistent fixture in the lineup, which is something that couldn't be said in previous years.

Through 50 games, Robertson has 11 goals and 16 points, carries a minus-2 rating, has fired 82 shots on goal, has averaged a career-best 12:05 TOI, and has 23 blocked shots to go along with 48 hits.

The physical style of play is something he's not necessarily known for, but he's taken it upon himself to perhaps reinvent his game a little bit to get into the good graces of his coaching staff and front office.

The 48 hits are 14 more than he recorded last year in 6 less games and his newfound role on the team's third line with Bobby McMann and Max Domi has given him a new lease on life.

Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit knows a thing or two about the physical side of hockey as he currently sits second on the team with 144 hits. He mentioned that it's something Robertson should lean into a lot more as it could unlock a hidden aspect of his game.

Robertson's season as a whole has been wildly inconsistent outside of his runs alongside the aforementioned duo of Domi and McMann. In his first run he recorded a 3-game point streak with 3 goals and 3 assists in the middle of December and is currently riding a 2-game stretch with 3 goals and an assist to his name after having been reunited.

Within those 5 games alone, he's tallied almost half his goals and all but 6 of his points on the season. However, his physicality has also shined, where he recorded 11 hits in that same stretch.

Robertson and the Maple Leafs have had a contentious relationship with the former having requested a trade this past summer. Brad Treliving decided to keep him and while his name has continued to resurface in trade talks, the Leafs seem content with his recent stretch of play.