Robertson has played in all nine of the Leafs’ games this season, recording just one point over that span.
On Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs skated in a full practice in preparation for a tough matchup against the undefeated Winnipeg Jets (8-0-0). Riding a three-game losing skid, changes were bound to happen against a team which hit the ground running to begin the 2024-25 season. At practice, one lineup change in the projected game-night roster was 23-year-old forward Nick Robertson, who was skating as an extra alongside Connor Dewar.
Robertson has played in all nine of the Leafs’ games this season, recording just one point over that span. However, head coach Craig Berube noted the move wasn’t necessarily performance-related, but rather an adjustment to match Winnipeg’s size.
“He's been fine. Like, I think Nicky's worked extremely hard. He obviously hasn't had much puck luck and just missed shots and things like that. But, he's done a lot of good things. It's just, with Winnipeg tonight, it's a pretty big team. You wanted some size in the lineup tonight,” Berube said after practice.
After a standout preseason in which he scored five goals in four games, expectations for Robertson were high heading into the season. However, the young forward has struggled to turn that preseason success into regular-season production – having yet to find consistent offensive success through nine contests. His lone goal came late in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets last Tuesday, where he scooped up a rebound from John Tavares to get on the scoresheet for the first time this year.
While Robertson’s defensive game and tenacity have been commendable – especially for a smaller forward listed at five-foot-nine and 178 pounds – he has yet to find consistent production offensively with a lack of puck luck thus far. Judging by Berube’s comments, his effort hasn’t gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, but with the Jets boasting a big, physical roster, the Leafs opted to bring in more size for this matchup.
In Robertson’s absence, Pontus Holmberg will return to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins. Holmberg, who stands six feet tall and weighs 201 pounds, will slot in on the third line with Bobby McMann and Max Domi. That shuffle pushes Max Pacioretty to the second line with Tavares and William Nylander, essentially swapping the team’s second and third lines.
The Leafs have also tinkered with their power play units, another notable change for Monday night’s matchup with the Jets.
Robertson has responded well to being scratched in the past and this serves as another opportunity to spark his offensive upside. But for tonight, the Leafs are banking on the right mix to hand the Jets their first loss of the season and find their way back into the win column – only winning one of four road games so far this year.