'If I Do Get A Chance For Game 1, Or Whether It's Game 3, 4, Or Whatever, I Know I'll Be Ready: Nick Robertson Ready For NHL Playoffs With Maple Leafs if Called Upon
Nick Robertson is aware that when everyone is fully healthy, he may not get the first shot at the postseason, but the Maple Leafs forward is generally happy with his season.
NEWARK, N.J.— It was the beginning of August in 2020 when Nick Robertson got a unique opportunity to make his NHL debut during the COVID-bubble Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Less than four years later, Robertson may finally get a chance to experience the NHL playoffs again, but he recognizes it may not happen right away.
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Robertson has been a scratch for stretches this season when the club has been at a nearly healthy lineup. Making his return on Tuesday in a 5-2 win against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, Robertson spent the last couple of games as a healthy scratch after Mitch Marner returned from an ankle injury.
And if Calle Jarnkrok can get healthy enough to return from a hand iniury for Game 1 in approximately a week-and-a-half, it'll be even tougher for the California-born Robertson to get into the postseason.
Robertson is aware it may not happen right away, but it sounds like he's ready to be patient on this one.
"Honestly I just go with the flow. In my mind, I can’t control it. Guys they (the Leafs) have taken out (of the lineup) have been playing good," Robertson told The Hockey News on Tuesday. "For me, I’m happy with my season. If I do get the chance for Game 1, or whether it’s Game 3 or 4 I know I’ll be ready because I’ve been preparing regardless game by game."
Robertson has played in 52 games this season, which represents 59.7 percent of his overall NHL games-played experience (including playoffs) over five years. He has 12 goals and added 13 assists this season but he's admitted that he needs to improve in some areas, like protecting the puck.
That might justify why Robertson may be on the outside looking in of the club's top-12 forwards for the post-season, but the Leafs have been mostly happy how Robertson's play has come along.
"When he comes in and out of the lineup and all that, at times you can overthink things, but you really zoom out, Nick's had a terrific season here," Maple Leafs head coach Nick Robertson said of Keefe. "He's stayed healthy, he's come in, he's contributed, he's learned a lot. He's taken more out of this season than he has in any other, probably all the others combined.
"Sometimes we want to rush guys and we want to overthink things and what have you, but he's had a really good season. We've seen lots of development from him and we hope that we see it in times like tonight."
It hasn't been easy for Robertson, who has undergone several injuries that have derailed the player's professional development over the years. And of course, there have been times when he's been a victim of circumstance due to the NHL salary cap and Toronto's roster restrictions. Last month, Robertson revealed he wasn't happy about spending roughly 10 days off the NHL roster working with return-to-play staff while earning AHL money because of his contract status.
But right now Robertson is healthy and is showing he can make an impact when inserted into the lineup. He has goals in three out of his last four games, even though the games span a total of 11 calendar days.
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