The Early Returns On Nick Robertson Are Encouraging

The Pittsburgh Penguins are six games into the 2026-27 NHL season, and a lot has already happened. 

There's been some good, some bad, and even some in-between. One of the good things has been forward Nick Robertson's play. He scored two goals in the Penguins' season-opening 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, then added another against the Washington Capitals last Wednesday. 

That goal against the Capitals came off a sweet deflection, getting the Penguins right back into the game before they eventually lost 5-3. Still, he's scoring at a good pace to open the season, even though he was demoted to the fourth line for that game.

Robertson started the season on the top line with Sidney Crosby before he was responsible for a goal against last Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. That error prompted Penguins head coach Dan Muse to make a change and demote him to the fourth line.

It's a bit harsh, since it's the only error he's made this year and has otherwise been really solid. Heck, he's been on the penalty kill quite a bit and looks like a natural fit for it. His speed has caused problems for opposing power plays. 

I still think he deserves at least another chance on the top line with Crosby since the Lapierre experiment didn't work out on Wednesday and because Rickard Rakell is off to a horrible start. Bryan Rust is already back up on that line since Crosby trusts him so much, so why not try those two with Robertson? If it doesn't work, then Muse can put Rakell back up there. 

Muse may not do it since Robertson's fitting in well with Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar on that fourth line, which was menacing against the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Still, I think he deserves another crack on that top line. 

In any case, Robertson's had a great start to the season and will have the opportunity to do a lot more as it goes on. 

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