Toronto Maple Leafs Finally Recall Nick Robertson

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a very wise decision today by recalling Nick Robertson from the AHL.

With five goals and 11 points in nine AHL games this year, Nick Robertson deserved to be called back up to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Fans have adored Robertson ever since he was drafted 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and was on pace to be one of the biggest steals of that draft class. He scored more than a goal per game in his last year in junior, and his shot release has been NHL-ready for years.

Robertson played his first career NHL game in the NHL Bubble back in August 2020 and fit right in. He scored a goal and looked like someone who could compete for the Calder Trophy one year later, given a true 82-game schedule to shine.

Toronto Maple Leafs Finally Recall Nick Robertson

Fast forward to November 2023, and things haven’t gone as planned.

Injuries have continued to ruin Robertson’s chances of playing every night in the NHL, and his low productivity has led the team to send him down to the Marlies to develop and improve. There’s no doubt that his skill is NHL-ready, but, as previously mentioned, his health is the biggest concern.

At 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, Robertson is vulnerable to injuries, and it has continued to happen every time he’s looked to become a full-time NHL player. However, after continuing to dominate the AHL, and with the Leafs also lacking depth scoring, Robertson is back to prove that he can be a healthy full-time player and provide some offense for the big club.

Robertson was called up in place of Pontus Holmberg, so it looks like he’ll be playing on the wing alongside Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok.

Personally, I disagree with this decision by Sheldon Keefe, but I can see the reasoning. By inserting Robertson on the third line, you’d hope that he can kickstart Domi and Jarnkrok, who have only combined for one goal in 11 games thus far.

However, in my opinion, the best way to get depth scoring or increase overall scoring would be to have Robertson in the top six and run something like this:

• Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
• Nick Robertson – John Tavares – William Nylander
• Tyler Bertuzzi – Max Domi – Calle Jarnkrok
• Noah Gregor – David Kampf – Ryan Reaves

This is a significant opportunity for Robertson, and if he can turn the third line around, he’ll be guaranteed a roster spot for the rest of the year. After four years, the prospect is slowly approaching “bust territory,” so he needs to show that he can perform at the NHL level this season, or he could be playing for a different team soon.

After a few weeks of hardship, it’s nice to see the Leafs finally make a good decision today, and hopefully, Robertson can provide some depth scoring because they desperately need it.