Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Demanding a Recall to the NHL

In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted a small winger from the Peteborough Petes in the second round.

The Toronto Maple Leafs took a chance on the 5’9″, 178 lbs winger who was coming off a 27-goal, 55-point season in the Ontario Hockey League.

The numbers would surprise most people that they would take a forward with that size with that moderate amount of scoring output, however, he was one of the youngest players in the draft as if he was four days younger he would have slid to the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

In his post draft season, which if he was that couple days younger would have been his draft yeear, Robertson put up an astonishing 55-goals in just 46 games to finish with 86-points, which would have been a lot more had COVID not derailed the world.  Those numbers would likely put him in the top ten of the next draft had he been just a little bit younger and this excited many fans.

Over the next few seasons, Robertson would tease the Maple Leaf organization with his high end scoring ability, as well as his work ethic.  During what would have been his first full year in the professional hockey as a 20-year old during 2021-22 season, the California native jumped out with 16-goals in just 28 American Hockey League games.  Unfortunately a couple injuries derailed most of his season.

Last year, Robertson made his NHL season debut during the Toronto Maple Leafs fifth game of the season and it looked as though he was putting a stake in becoming a full timer on the wing.  Playing against his brother, Robertson scored early in the third period to give the Maple Leafs a lead and after the Dallas Stars tied the contest, the sniping winger would win the game in overtime.

Over the first seven games of that season, Robertson would collect five points, but average just 11:51 of ice-time (source: hockey-reference.com).  Despite showing glimpses of adding scoring depth to the team, coach Sheldon Keefe put him further down the line-up where he saw as little as 8:42 of ice-time in one game over the next seven.

During his 15th game of the season on December 8th, Robertson took a violent hit that required shoulder surgery and knocked him out for the remainder of the season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Nick Robertson Is the Underrated Prospect of the Organization

Coming into the 2023-24 season, fans interest in Robertson has appeared to wane with the additions Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and Matthew Knies to the prospect pool.  During an interview with the Athletic’s Joshua Kloke, Robertson even stated “I know my name isn’t what it used to be. I don’t give a f**k,”.

Robertson was assigned to the Toronto Marlies this season and he is continuing to do what he has done over the years.  In his first game of the season, he collected a pair of assists in an overtime loss and followed it up a day later when he picked up a pair of goals and an assist to finish with five points and helping the Marlies off to a 1-0-1 record over the first two games of the year.

This past weekend, Robertson had two common incidences from years past occur.  On Saturday while carrying the puck up the ice he took a dirty high hit after passing off the puck that knocked him out of the game, but just temporarily.  When Robertson left the game, many thought the kid with no luck has run into trouble again.

https://twitter.com/TorontoMarlies/status/1716224090581749961

The second trend that happened occurred on Sunday, which came after the Marlies surrendered their 2-0 lead to the Charlotte Checkers.  With just under nine minutes to play, Robertson would hammer a one timer home on the powerplay to break the tie for the eventual game winner.

The former 55-goal man in the OHL has jumped out to another hot start in the AHL with six points through four games, including three goals.  Robertson is showing he is too good for the American Hockey League and deserves a shot in the top six with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The question is, will Keefe give him the opportunity.