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Reporters Reveal Which Forward Should Replace Max Pacioretty in the Leafs' Top Six

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Ryan Smitheram
November 12, 2024 (1:43 PM)

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Nick Robertson could replace Pacioretty in the lineup

Photo credit: Ed Mulholland / Imagn Images

A pair of Maple Leafs reporters have identified the Leafs forward who should replaced the injured Max Pacioretty in Toronto's top six.

Max Pacioretty was placed on injured reserve on Monday by the Leafs after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday's victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

His absence on the second line next to John Tavares and William Nylander has left an opportunity for another Leaf to step up and prove they deserve more playing time. The first two names that come to mind are Bobby McMann and Nicholas Robertson.

Both have had short stints in the top-six in the past, but have struggled so far this season combining for just four goals and five points in 29 total games between the two.

The Leafs made a surprising roster move Tuesdayrecalled Alex Steeves from the Marlies, but given his track record of call-ups, he may simply be an extra body for practice. That being said, it will be on McMann and/or Robertson, whichever gets the opportunity, to produce on Tuesday against Ottawa.

In light of the Pacioretty news yesterday, Sportsnet's JD Bunkis and Justin Bourne both agreed that McMann and Robertson are worthy of the opportunity, but believe Robertson should receive the honour, but with one catch. If given a shot in the top six, it should be viewed as a "last chance to produce" type of opportunity.

"With Pacioretty out, I think there is a case for Robertson being the guy that gets the look being with Tavares and Nylander," said Bunkis. "Don't you want to see what he is in the top-six once?

With Robertson, it's always been 'hey what if he was with skilled players? What if other guys opened up opportunities for him to create a shot?' We know now that he is never going to be able to create his own shot.

For me, this is kind of the last hurrah for Robertson where you say, 'go out and do it with these top-six guys. Prove you are somebody with other guys and if not, unfortunately when this roster gets healthy, you have to be the guy that gets scratched.'"

Bourne agreed with Bunkis and added that while Robertson has the talent, he was never going to get the opportunity himself and needed some sort of luck to give him the chance.

"Totally agree. I would love to see him get that opportunity. Every team has three or four great players. You're playing for a very few number of spots and Robertson's probably one of those guys where if he can't get in there, he's not going to get in at all. So put him there, let's see if he can do it."

Although he has just 1 goal in 14 games, Robertson joked about his bad puck luck currently following the Leafs' morning skate Tuesday and noted he feels much better about his defensive game and play away from the puck.

"I don't have a good relationship with the puck right now (smile). But I'm happy with my game finding ways to be confident without scoring"

As the morning skate was very optional for the Leafs Tuesday morning, there were no line rushes, so who replaces Pacioretty on the second line remains a mystery.

Connor Dewar is also slated to return to the lineup tonight, so Berube has a few bodies that he can shuffle around and it will be interesting to see how he deploys Steeves, Dewar, Robertson and McMann in warm-ups.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Maple Leafs Make Difficult Goaltending Decision Following Pair of Wins Over the Weekend

Maple Leafs Make Surprising Roster Addition Ahead of Tuesday's Game Against Ottawa

Maple Leafs Confirm Forward Suffers Major Setback, Expected to Meet With Specialist

POLL
12 NOVEMBRE \| 1456 ANSWERS Reporters Reveal Which Forward Should Replace Max Pacioretty in the Leafs' Top Six Who should replace Pacioretty?
▢ Robertson
▢ McMann
▢ Steeves
▢ Other