Insider Reveals Nick Robertson's Fate Which Will Likely Occur In The Coming Days

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Tom Banks
October 3, 2023 (9:55 PM)

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Maple Leafs fans have been waiting for Nick Robertson to break out for a few years now, and after an impressive training camp and pre-season, now, the team have a big decision to make.

Back to the Marlies?

While Robertson has been solid skating on a line with William Nylander and Max Domi, it appears the returning Calle Jarnkrok will push him out of the lineup, according to NHL Insider Chris Johnston.

We did see Domi on a line with William Nylander yesterday, with Nick Robertson on the other side as well. That's a line I'm really interested to see early on in the regular season. Assuming they stick together, and in all likelihood, they will. I mean, there's a lot of offense there, Chris. And I think Domi will be a big part of it, scoring his first goal as a Toronto Maple Leaf last night. What are you expecting from that trio to start the season? Well, you know, I think Domi and Nylander probably are more likely to stick. You know, if you look at last night's roster, you didn't have Kelly Young, Jarnkrok in the lineup. But I think it's very possible, you know, maybe he's the third member of that line, assuming he comes back healthy here in the next week before the season starts. I think the only question with that line would be how they handle themselves in their own end. That's been something that I think has kind of followed both Domi and Nylander to varying degrees throughout their careers. In Nylander's case, there's a little more responsibility with him taking on center duties this year. Offensively, the gifts are pretty apparent, and I think there's a lot that could work with that trio. That's why having someone like Jarnkrok, who's known more for his defensive capabilities, could help those guys out. That might make that trio a little better. CJ, what's the deal with Jarnkrok? We haven't seen him around all preseason. Can we expect that he's going to be ready for the start of the season? Yeah, my understanding is he will be ready. That's the expectation. He has been around; I guess he just hasn't been very visible. He injured his neck taking a hit in practice a week or so ago. They've been careful with him, not forcing anything. But he has been skating on his own and is now back skating in practice. I would think you'll see him play either Thursday or Saturday. Unless there's a setback, I think he should be okay for the start of the season next week.

I don't know if there are any real battles. I guess the one thing that's hard to know in real-time is how many players they're going to carry into the year. We know the Leafs don't have the cap room to carry a full roster, but are they only going to carry 12 forwards? I think it's possible to start the season. And if that's the case, I think the lineup you saw last night with Jarnkrok, minus Robertson, would probably be their 12 forwards. I would expect Noah Gregor, who's in camp on a tryout, to sign a contract before next Wednesday and start the year with the team. Robertson doesn't need waivers, so he's someone who could be sent to the Marlies and then brought up easily at any point when they might need some reinforcements. I don't really see a lot of battles there. But that being said, if you're one of the players on the fringes or even if you're in Nick Robertson's shoes, you have to have the mindset that you're in a battle. With two more games to play, there could be an injury, there could be an opportunity that isn't there right now. But the truth of the matter is, with the salary cap constraints, the Leafs just don't have the ability to create those battles. Most decisions were kind of made in the summer when they signed the players they did.

When will Robertson's time come?

Given the injuries and potential struggles that could hit this team at any time, this isn't to say Robertson will be in the AHL all season long, as he is very likely the first forward to join the team if anything were to happen.

Ultimately, Robertson is a player they've been waiting on for years to get healthy, and if he can manage that in the AHL and put together a good stretch, the Domi-Nylander-Robertson line appears to be one that could do damage, so expect something to happen with the young Robertson at anytime in 2023-24.