New Line-up Proves Nick Robertson Potentially Played His Last Game As a Toronto Maple Leaf
The Toronto Maple Leafs are keeping things going after their win against the Jets, leaving Nick Robertson a healthy scratch again. Is it a sign that he's headed out?
After three straight losses, the Toronto Maple Leafs needed to change things up. After a roster shuffle ahead of their game against the undefeated Winnipeg Jets, the team felt like it had new life as it came out victorious 6-4; backed by a hat-trick from John Tavares as Toronto finally looked like they did earlier this season.
However, in that shuffle, Nick Robertson was a healthy scratch. With only one goal this season after a blistering preseason, he's been invisible most of the season and a key reason why Toronto's bottom-six hasn't produced whatsoever. During Wednesday's practice, Toronto decided to keep him out again; a worrying sign for the forward:
That worrying sign could be that Robertson's future with the Maple Leafs is coming to an end soon. Ever since Robertson's holdout, it feels like he doesn't want to be here, and as much as he was disrespected by former coach Sheldon Keefe, he hasn't proven himself this year and has been a detriment on the ice.
There's speculation that Robertson could be traded this season, as Toronto wants to add more center depth and he would be an easy sell to teams looking to bolster their Top-9 and let Toronto get a couple of assets in return. Robertson's lack of production after such a tumultuous summer has done him no favors, and unless Craig Berube sees otherwise, Robertson is going to sit on the bench.
Toronto can definitely benefit from Robertson when he is producing though, as he scored 14 goals in 56 games with limited ice time, so the potential for him to be a 20+ goal scorer every year is there. The question is, do the Maple Leafs want to wait around forever until Robertson breaks out? If his consistency is so hot and cold, Toronto risking losing games and money due to Robertson is counterintuitive for their success.
If Toronto comes into Seattle and dominates the Kraken, finding a new chemistry and life with a rejuvenated John Tavares and playing the kind of hockey Craig Berube wants; it might be hard to justify keeping Robertson when they can get a good return for a player sitting in the press box and he'll pack his bags sooner than later.
