'We Haven't Gotten Enough Offense Coming Out Of Our Bottom Six': Why the Maple Leafs Decided to Call Nick Robertson Up From the Marlies Before Their Game Against the Lightning
In search of finding their game, the Maple Leafs hope Nick Robertson can bring energy and offensive touch that the club's depth players are currently lacking.
The Toronto Maple Leafs held practice on Sunday without Nick Robertson but made the call to bring up the skilled forward on Monday morning ahead of their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"We haven't gotten enough offense coming out of our bottom six in particular," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe explained. "We’re changing the mix in our third group there with (Max) Domi in the middle and a chance to try to get a little more."
Robertson will skate on the left wing alongside Domi and Calle Jarnkrok on the third line against the Lightning. Since the last time both teams met on Oct. 21, there hasn't been a single goal scored by a Maple Leafs forward that came outside of Toronto's core four of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.
Shuffling up that mix while adding Robertson could provide a spark. The 22-year-old forward has been tearing it up with the Toronto Marlies by starting the season with five goals and six assists in 11 games.
"I would say I'm calm and really confident now," Robertson said. "I'm going in here with a lot of confidence and a lot more touches than last year so we'll see how it goes and (we) can make an assessment throughout the games."
Robertson season ended on Dec. 8 when sustained a shoulder injury after taking a hit from Los Angeles Kings defenceman Matt Roy in the first period of a 5-0 win. Before that, the 22-year-old had struggled to stick around due to injuries and other performance-related setbacks.
And while the Leafs need offense, the message to the forward is to make sure he doesn't overthink things when making his season debut.
"Don't think too much, just play," Keefe said. "You’re a good player. Move your feet and a lot of other things will just fall into place."
Robertson has three goals and four assists in 31 games with the Leafs over the last three seasons. He made his debut for the club during the 2020 NHL playoffs where he scored one goal in four games.
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