Canadiens @ Leafs - Dec. 6th, 7:00pm - SN

[rdowdall]

What Berube is doing with Robertson is ridiculous.
Stecher has been so solid and should stay in the lineup when Tanev/Carlo come back.
L1 was actually pretty decent last night and won their minutes. L2 got destroyed. 88/91 outshot 10-2 at 5v5.

As for the PP. I'll go back to the handling of Robertson. CTB nailed it. What a waste not having a guy with his shot first mentality not on PP1. The reluctance to move 91, 88 or 34 off PP1 is not an easy move because of their talent but you can't keep going with player that don't work.

Like if you need a bomb from the point to open things up, then put Robertson on the point with a D-Man. I can understand the fear that defensively he might not be able to read the play properly, but it can't be any worse than the 5 man forward units they have used.

PP1 - Nylander, Tavares, Matthews, OEL, Robertson
PP2 - Knies, Domi, Cowan, McMann / Joshua / Laughton / Roy / Someone willing to shoot the puck, Rielly

 

[Chris]

Another thing about potentially using Robertson on the point - you know that if something happens, he's going to bust his ass to get back and defend. He won't dog it like many other Leaf forwards, and he actually has the speed to recover. I've seen him get back to break up odd-man rushes a number of times, including in OT. Speaking of which...how can a guy with his speed and skill not get a shift in OT more than once every 5 games.

It's not easy to feel bad for someone making almost $2 million to play a game, but here we are. Too bad for him that he's not UFA after this season.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Another thing about potentially using Robertson on the point - you know that if something happens, he's going to bust his ass to get back and defend. He won't dog it like many other Leaf forwards, and he actually has the speed to recover. I've seen him get back to break up odd-man rushes a number of times, including in OT. Speaking of which...how can a guy with his speed and skill not get a shift in OT more than once every 5 games.

It's not easy to feel bad for someone making almost $2 million to play a game, but here we are. Too bad for him that he's not UFA after this season.

I'm like many others around here that don't understand his deployment. Guy went from finally getting a legit shot in the top 6, doing very well there, to getting moved off for Domi, who didn't deserve the promotion. All 89 did was try hard and have success to be now getting less then 10mins, 7 last night, for no apparent reason. Oh and let's not forget his efforts on the 4th line that have helped Laughton get off the snide and score a few.
And you're absolutely right. If he was a UFA at season's end, he's as good as gone.

 

[cw]

I'm like many others around here that don't understand his deployment. Guy went from finally getting a legit shot in the top 6, doing very well there, to getting moved off for Domi, who didn't deserve the promotion. All 89 did was try hard and have success to be now getting less then 10mins, 7 last night, for no apparent reason. Oh and let's not forget his efforts on the 4th line that have helped Laughton get off the snide and score a few.
And you're absolutely right. If he was a UFA at season's end, he's as good as gone.

If he was a UFA a season or two ago, he was gone.
I have more time for a guy who makes an effort. Robertson doesn't just make the effort in the game. He's made the effort to change his game to improve defensively and he has stuck with it. Clearly, he has top six goal scoring skill if given the opportunity. It has to be very frustrating for him.
In defense of Berube, the recent stretch of hockey where they won four games, Robertson got about 10 mins / game. That was the Leafs best stretch of hockey this season. So I can see why Berube might let things ride in terms of roster, roles and ice time.