Robertson finally re-signs [1year, $875k AAV]

[cw]

There is also the precedent concern. When a player asks for a trade, how rosy it is for him? If it isn't that rosy, it discourages others from doing so down the line.

To me, kicking tires with Pacioretty doesn't look good for Robertson - they're obviously not set on Robertson. If Pacioretty, Cowan or Minten sticks or they land a 3rd line center moving Domi to a wing, Robertson probably has to hope someone gets hurt to stay on the NHL roster.

I'm sure he's going to get a look but I'd rate him a longish shot to stick.

Maybe, but with the reporting about how they spent a good chunk of the summer trying to convince him to rescind his trade request, I get the impression that they have (had?) a plan in mind for him on the roster and he's going to be given every opportunity to stick. Minten is almost certainly not going to grab a roster spot - he'll be given a chance, but I'd be very surprised if he doesn't start the year with the Marlies. Cowan is a wild card. He's likely to earn at least a 9 game or less try out, but, who knows beyond that. Could very be that Patches needs to wait until that's sorted before he gets a contract, too - barring other potential moves, of course.

I don't necessarily think Robertson has the inside track to a roster spot, but, if he's not moved, I'm not convinced he's a longshot, either.

With Hakanpaa, they're over the cap. Let's assume Timmins goes to get them down to 7 dmen and under the cap. (that they don't trade Liljegren to open up cap space)

I also think Minten is likely to be used as waivers exempt depth from the AHL

If they keep Cowan for 9 games, unless someone is hurt, someone else has to go to stay under the cap. It won't be a goalie or dman with Timmins already gone. It's going to be a forward. 8 forwards including Knies, McMann, Domi, Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander & Kampf - I don't see Robertson bumping them.
So one of Robertson, Reaves, Holmberg, Dewar or Jarnkrok has to go. Cowan & Robertson are not going to play on the 4th line. Jarnkrok has many other abilities so Robertson's role would seem like the most logical odd man out if Cowan hangs around. Same reasoning would go for Pacioretty.

As for "giving him a shot", maybe the offers in the summer were so underwhelming. As teams review what they have before the season starts, showcasing Robertson might get them a higher pick/asset.

If the third line is a checking-scoring line, he helps the scoring part but he's not the greatest checker. If he is in a top 6 and on the PP, he'll get his goals but I don't see that opportunity here for him like he could get on a bottom feeder. Which is probably how he saw it when he asked for a trade.

 

[dappleganger]

I think the best thing to do with Robertson is stick him on the top line with Matthews, hopefully he gets a bunch of points, and then try to trade him to a team for a comparable young d-man.

 

[bustaheims]

I think the best thing to do with Robertson is stick him on the top line with Matthews, hopefully he gets a bunch of points, and then try to trade him to a team for a comparable young d-man.

He wouldn?t be a good fit with Matthews. He?s not a particularly strong playmaker, he?s not good a cycling/puck battles, and he?s not a net-front guy. He?s a shoot first who would end up taking shots away from the best goal scorer in the league.

 

[cw]

I think the best thing to do with Robertson is stick him on the top line with Matthews, hopefully he gets a bunch of points, and then try to trade him to a team for a comparable young d-man.

He wouldn?t be a good fit with Matthews. He?s not a particularly strong playmaker, he?s not good a cycling/puck battles, and he?s not a net-front guy. He?s a shoot first who would end up taking shots away from the best goal scorer in the league.

I agree.

I'd also be concerned about him on a line with Domi or Nylander as all three have some defensive deficiencies.

Move him to the third line and he's not a checker.

It is a bit of a square peg in a round hole problem

He could score 20 goals in the top 6. No question.
But would they be better off with a guy who can score 12 who can play more effectively in both ends of the ice? I think so.

Maybe maximize the return (which isn't going to be great) and move on from a place he doesn't believe he has a future in.

 

[dappleganger]

I think the best thing to do with Robertson is stick him on the top line with Matthews, hopefully he gets a bunch of points, and then try to trade him to a team for a comparable young d-man.

He wouldn?t be a good fit with Matthews. He?s not a particularly strong playmaker, he?s not good a cycling/puck battles, and he?s not a net-front guy. He?s a shoot first who would end up taking shots away from the best goal scorer in the league.

I don't think it'd be that different than when they have Nylander on Matthews line.

I also think you only do this for 20 games or so. Establish some value with Robertson.

 

[bustaheims]

I don't think it'd be that different than when they have Nylander on Matthews line.

I also think you only do this for 20 games or so. Establish some value with Robertson.

Nylander's a much better playmaker - and player in general - and he also usually replaces Marner on the right side. Robertson plays on the left, where, regardless of the rightwing option they go with, they need someone who can do more of the heavy lifting/physical/muck work. That's not Robertson and never will be. Unless you really downgrade the right side of that line, Robertson is a bad fit that only serves to make that line less effective.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I actually think Robertson would benefit more playing with Marner. Problem on that line would be the lack of size.

 

[herman]

I actually think Robertson would benefit more playing with Marner. Problem on that line would be the lack of size.

I agree with that observation as their strengths are very complementary; I'm also concerned the line would not have the puck much, which basically neutralizes their positives because their weaknesses are stacked.

In any case, I don't think it's worth it to try to maximize Robertson at the expense of handcuffing Marner's game, and I don't think Marner has it in him to hard-carry a line with someone like Robertson, unless it's in third line deployment.

Robertson-Tavares-Jarnkrok against third line match ups could work. It'll look sloppy and choppy, but Robertson and Tavares are both really good at taking a nothing puck and putting it into the net. If we could get a bigger/heavier fetcher on RW that would cook nicely (Do we have an RH McMann?).

 

[bustaheims]

I actually think Robertson would benefit more playing with Marner. Problem on that line would be the lack of size.

Robertson might, but I don't think making that move would make the team better overall. That's ultimately the issue with Robertson and the Leafs' lineup as currently constructed - where does he fit in a way that maximizes the team's success?

 

[Bender]

The more I think about it the more I think that Robertson is just too much of a one trick pony unless he turns into a Cole Caufield clone. We'll see but my god he has to prove it in more than 50 non-playoff games.

 

[dappleganger]

Justin Bourne gets it:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-thoughts-anatomy-of-a-2-on-0-against-robertson-matthews-in-ot/

James Tanner too:

https://editorinleaf.com/posts/nick-robertson-deserves-a-chance-on-the-first-line-with-auston-matthews-01hn3fhcvyb3

 

[Bender]

Justin Bourne gets it:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-thoughts-anatomy-of-a-2-on-0-against-robertson-matthews-in-ot/

James Tanner too:

https://editorinleaf.com/posts/nick-robertson-deserves-a-chance-on-the-first-line-with-auston-matthews-01hn3fhcvyb3

If you split up Marner and Matthews who's on the first line? Robertson-Matthews and? I really don't like the idea of a Robertson-Matthews-Marner line personally.

 

[dappleganger]

Justin Bourne gets it:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-thoughts-anatomy-of-a-2-on-0-against-robertson-matthews-in-ot/

James Tanner too:

https://editorinleaf.com/posts/nick-robertson-deserves-a-chance-on-the-first-line-with-auston-matthews-01hn3fhcvyb3

If you split up Marner and Matthews who's on the first line? Robertson-Matthews and? I really don't like the idea of a Robertson-Matthews-Marner line personally.

Domi.

 

[herman]

If you split up Marner and Matthews who's on the first line? Robertson-Matthews and? I really don't like the idea of a Robertson-Matthews-Marner line personally.

Domi.

Matthews about to lose the rest of his hair lol

 

[cabber24]

Matthews continued to score at an impressive click with Domi instead of Marner. Marner should be utilized to prop someone else up that needs it.

 

[dappleganger]

Matthews continued to score at an impressive click with Domi instead of Marner. Marner should be utilized to prop someone else up that needs it.

Give me flack for wanting Robertson on a line with Matthews, but Matthews and Domi were great together.

https://theleafsnation.com/news/max-domi-quickly-become-perfect-linemate-auston-matthews

 

[Bender]

Matthews continued to score at an impressive click with Domi instead of Marner. Marner should be utilized to prop someone else up that needs it.

Give me flack for wanting Robertson on a line with Matthews, but Matthews and Domi were great together.

https://theleafsnation.com/news/max-domi-quickly-become-perfect-linemate-auston-matthews

I like Domi on his wing but you cannot have Robertson on the other side and call it your first line.

 

[herman]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5796749/2024/09/27/maple-leafs-nick-robertson-trade-contract/

Though Robertson declines to specifically say why he asked for a trade, his answer to a question about not being afraid to advocate for himself does provide insight.

?It?s not that I think I?m better than anyone,? Robertson said. ?I think I?m confident knowing how much work, time and effort, like all (my teammates), I put into it.?

Despite having stayed healthy, his powerful shot and outlandish work ethic, the proverbial carrot has remained elusive for Robertson. Consistent playing time has not come. Does he believe he?s been given a fair shot in Toronto?

He pauses for a few seconds.

?I know that I?ve showcased, and that obviously, in order to be showcased, you have to be somewhat put in a position to succeed,? Robertson said. ?So, like last year, there were a couple of overtime shifts, playing with really good players at times, I think I proved that I can play with them.?

There's more later in the article about how he's found a new balance (the on-ice intensity does not follow him off of it now) and how he has started to open up and actually bond with teammates (now that there are more youngsters).

 

[Highlander]

Matthews continued to score at an impressive click with Domi instead of Marner. Marner should be utilized to prop someone else up that needs it.

Agreed totally, keep Domi on his line with Knies