Nick Robertson Breaks His Silence After Being Cut from Maple Leafs Line-Up in Back-to-Back Games

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Daniel Lucente
October 30, 2024 (7:55 PM)

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Nick Robertson was a healthy scratch for the last Leafs game, and he won't play tomorrow. He has broken his silence regarding this unfortunate situation he's in.

Nick Robertson is out of the Maple Leafs lineup and it's hard to say when he might return to it.

It didn't sound like he would play Thursday against Seattle. In five pre-season games, the 23-year-old left winger scored five times, but through nine regular season games, he's averaged about nine minutes of ice time with only one goal all year.

He was a healthy scratch for Monday night's game against the Winnipeg Jets, and practice line rushes from Wednesday suggest that Robertson may not dress when the Leafs host the Seattle Kraken on Halloween.

Despite that, he seems to be taking it all in stride. Coach Craig Berube seems content to go with the same forward lines that led Toronto to a 6-4 victory over the Jets. It's a preference that might keep him out for the time being, but it also speaks to the consistency that Berube has preached with a lineup that's given him results. If the Maple Leafs are looking to keep the wins coming, that lineup stability could be viewed as more important than rotating Robertson back into the fold.

Robertson recently spoke out on being a healthy scratch:

«I mean, again, I don't know. I'm not sure if it's a surprise or not. I just go with it. I don't take it personally; I just have to work hard.

And again, there are other guys who aren't playing that probably should be. It's just part of the deal, and it's my job to keep working hard.»

So far, this season in regular contribution, Nick Robertson is a far cry from the good preseason he had. With only one goal in the first nine games, his five goals in preseason underlined his potential. His limited production this season may make Craig Berube keep him off the ice, though his skill is still valued in the organization. Robertson also spoke about how he feels his play has been as of late.

«It has been fine,» Robertson said in a self-assessment of his play in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign. «I think I've had some good games, some OK games, but puck luck hasn't really been there. I'm sure that'll turn around. I'm still confident in my game. I'm not beating myself up about it. I know that I'm getting another opportunity, whenever that is, and it's my job to execute.»

This season, however, represents a very important shift in status for the Leafs organization in relation to Nick Robertson; he needs waivers to be reassigned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies. It's an option that is very risky for the Leafs, let alone sending him down and making things even more awkward.

It gets complicated with him most likely being lost to another team if he's out on waivers; hence, a layer of caution in terms of managing how the organization proceeds with his situation and why they would be willing to entertain a trade and not lose him for nothing.

It seems the coaching staff of the Leafs is all in on the strategy of the lineup that has been working for them of late, even if it means Nick Robertson continues to sit. His preseason was promising, but with waivers in play now, perhaps the Leafs want to keep him with their roster instead of risking the loss of someone of Robertson's potential to another team. Robertson did request a trade during the offseason; perhaps Brad Treliving circles back to that and fills the other holes currently in his lineup with the pieces in return. Only time will tell.