Nick Robertson, what do you think about this Kid ?

[Phion Keneuf]

Start him with the Marlies and call him up when Kase inevitably gets injured. Assuming he’s playing well (which I think he will).

 

[Rielly4]

He is not ready for top six or a defensive bottom 6 line. That being said on a sheltered offensive bottom 6 line he could be very good imo. I dont think confidence is an issue with this kid and I dont think he needs to grow his game in the AHL that much. I think it would be good for his development to play in the NHL even if he isnt getting a ton of ice time. I say play him on Kerfoots wing on a sheltered bottom 6 scoring line.

 

[diceman934]

Not NHL ready to play top 6 minutes so back to the AHL. Perhaps a mid season call up

 

[ottomaddox]

Just not into it this year. Too bad.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Doesn't seem like he has it unfortunately. I've seen him in proposed lineups for over two years, but I just don't see it.

 

[Stephen]

Not ready at all. What we should do is incubate him as the go to guy on the Marlies and then bring him up a la Caufield down the stretch and see if he’s more NHL ready then.

 

[Bigmarycombo]

He is exactly as described.. tries to do too much. He needs to learn to keep it simple. A full season in the AHL won’t hurt him

 

[francis246]

They need to send him down and play him 22-26 minutes a night. Call him up upon first injury. But he needs to play in all situations. I do think he’ll be a player for us, but Covid has derailed his development a bit.

 

[Nylander88]

I was one who had high hopes coming into this camp. But he needs a full AHL year. Ho-sang is definitely ahead of him (if signed), Brooks is ahead of him, and Semyonov I'd argue is ahead of him. And all three of those players are likely on the outside looking in without a trade or a surprise cut. A year in the AHL as the top weapon on the Marlies won't hurt him at all

 

[zeke]

Good news is that he's getting beat out by guys who have legit skill and are playing well.

No harm in going back down to the AHL for what would normally be his rookie age-20 AHL season.

 

[Super Mega]

The battle for roster spots is pretty intense right now. Should make the Marlies fun

 

[Stonehands1990]

All the opposing coach has to do is switch his d-core a little.

Which weakens the pair Matthews & Tavares plays against

 

[hullsy47]

Start him with the Marlies and call him up when Kase inevitably gets injured. Assuming he’s playing well (which I think he will).

He's a Marlie

 

[ottomaddox]

Which weakens the pair Matthews & Tavares plays against

If only this played out in reality. No playoff wins to show for this so called "weakening" of lines vs Matthews, Tavares, Marner, and Nylander. Toronto has had center depth for a few seasons now and has yet to make things challenging for an opposing coach. I've yet to see weakening of lines vs Tavares and Matthews.

 

[Fonzieleaf]

He is exactly as described.. tries to do too much. He needs to learn to keep it simple. A full season in the AHL won’t hurt him

I think that just has a lot to do with his competitiveness and high motor. He wants to be involved in everything he can. But you're right, he has to simplify things more.

 

[CupcakeSprinkles]

The kid will be an NHL'er.. lets not forget though he's only 20 and yet to have a full pro season under his belt. I think dominating for the Marlies and being one of the first injury call-ups is a great feat for him. He's going to be "The Guy" for the Marlies.

We have a super deep squad with the acquisition of Ritchie, Kase, Bunting in their mid 20's.

 

[ULF_55]

Good news is that he's getting beat out by guys who have legit skill and are playing well.

No harm in going back down to the AHL for what would normally be his rookie age-20 AHL season.

Yep, from the minutes I've watched he hasn't stood out.
He's in the pack, but he's also just turned 20.

 

[DarkKnight]

Sometimes when a kid is trying to put it together they take a step back before moving forward. Robertson looks like he has a lot in his head right now, instead of just instinctual, as he processes what he’s trying to work on, perhaps at the expense of his innate talent. Kid is a keeper, that motor isn’t something you can learn, it will serve him well when he tailors his game to succeed in the NHL. He will be in the mix this year at some point.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

covid and his injury lead to less playing and less development last year, give him a full year to develop in the AHL with top minutes and get a feel for the pro game both on and off the ice (ie. getting used to a heavy schedule and fatigue/how to offset it)

 

[ottomaddox]

I get a feeling with some of the new UFAs and PTOs that they never expected Robertson to take a step into the NHL. Same goes for Anderson. It's okay the Robertson is not quite ready. The Leafs seem to have enough depth.

 

[The CyNick]

Looks less like an NHL player than he did when he first came up.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Looks less like an NHL player than he did when he first came up.

Yes, it's unfortunate. This fanbase (tbf I assume all fanbases) hype up any new thing. I think some got well ahead of themselves when evaluating Robertson. I don't think he's a surefire NHL prospect, but he very well could be. Needs a lot more time developing and hopefully the fans who've slotted him next to Matthews/Marner since his draft day can take take step back and give the guy time.

 

[TML1967]

I am pretty happy they are trying him on the PK in the pre-season.
For a guy like him to really reach full value, you need him to be playing special teams minutes.

I cant see him subplanting anyone on PP1 (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares) so he likely gets some PP2 minutes if he was in the NHL.
But if he can add being a solid PKer to his arsenal he becomes a much more valuable player overall for the Leafs.

Put him in the AHL, play him a good but not insane amount on even strength and have him really work on PP and PK.
He is still very young and raw, and has missed a good amount of time over the last year and a bit.
At his age, he needs reps

 

[CapspaceKiller]

Isn't going to make it

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Yep, from the minutes I've watched he hasn't stood out.
He's in the pack, but he's also just turned 20.

Sandin is no different, so neither should feel all that bad about it.