Robertson has never appeared in a season-opening game throughout the parts of four years he's played in the NHL.
Robertson has never appeared in a season-opening game throughout the parts of four years he's played in the NHL.
By the sounds of it from Nick Robertson, he's preparing to be in the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup for their season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old forward has impressed many — including head coach Craig Berube this pre-season — with his five goals in four games during training camp and his intense work ethic.
"I knew he was skilled, fast, can shoot. But what surprised me about him so far in camp is his work ethic and his competitiveness have been excellent. And for me, that's what's going to make him a real good player in this league," Berube said.
"His shooting, skill, skating — that'll take over. But, it's compete and winning the battles and things like that, that he's done."
Robertson won't be in the lineup for the final game of the pre-season on Saturday night against the Detroit Red Wings, but instead, will get a birds-eye view from the media gondola.
The forward has done everything, and more, to make the Maple Leafs out of camp. And from the sounds of it, he's approaching Toronto's season opener as if he'll be in the lineup.
"It means a lot. I was actually talking to my parents about it. They're going to come up for it," Robertson said on Saturday of what it would mean to play in Toronto's season opener, something he's never done before.
"It's something that I was thinking about coming into camp and I'm glad it could start like that."
Playing inside the Bell Centre — one of the NHL's loudest buildings — will make it even more special.
"The anticipation, especially in Montreal, too, it's going to be exciting."
Robertson has done well at both ends of the rink during this training camp. As a relentless worker, it's something he prides himself on. But coming into this year, after a summer filled with a lot of noise, including a trade request and an eventual one-year deal, how did Robertson come in and execute with the pressure?
"It's just because I was relaxed. I learned that the best of me is being calm out there. You can anticipate better, you can think about things better, and I think, also, just you can conserve your energy" he said on Saturday.
"I'm a hardworking person and I think I found the balance of when to turn it on, when to turn it off, when to relax, and when to go."
Robertson has played a total of 87 NHL games in his career. During that span, he's scored 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points. With a new coach and a fresh system ahead of this season, it's possible this could be Robertson's best season yet.
And he's looking at it that way too.
"I know if I have the ability, I just got to be comfortable and confident."
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