Toronto Maple Leafs need Nick Robertson to step up
Nick Robertson must be a contributor in 2024-25 if the Maple Leafs are going to take the next step
The Toronto Maple Leafs have always had weaker left wingers than right-wingers in the Auston Matthews era, which makes sense when you have Mitch Marner and William Nylander playing on the right wing.
But this year, the left wing is noticeably weaker than in past years. Players such as Patrick Marleau, Zach Hyman, Michael Bunting, and Tyler Bertuzzi have been staples in the Toronto Maple Leafs top six over the last number of seasons.
But this coming season, Toronto's top left winger is Matthew Knies. Knies is entering his second full season in the NHL and is already pencilled in to play on the top line alongside Auston Matthews, where he spent at least half of his games last season.
Knies is a dynamic player, but he is not a top-line left winger yet and should not be relied upon to produce as one. But due to a lack of depth on the left side, he is the best of a lousy bunch.
Max Domi is another left winger who may play centre, depending on how Berube configures the lines throughout training camp. But aside from Domi and Knies, the Maple Leafs have two, possibly three empty left-wing spots to fill.
Enter Nick Robertson
Nick Robertson has been a frustrating player in the Maple Leafs organization for a while now. He has all the tools to be a top scoring threat on the team, but he has not been given the opportunity to show it.
Injuries, poor utilization by former coaches, and Robertson's failure to seize the small opportunities given to him made it hard for him to find his footing in the league over the last couple of seasons.
Now, after a long summer that saw Robertson request a trade and refuse to sign a contract, he decided just under a week ago to remain a Maple Leaf for the upcoming season, signing a one year, $875,000 contract.
Robertson should easily make the starting lineup, but the question remains if he will be able to remain in the lineup for an extended period of time. The Maple Leafs need his offensive creativity on the weak left-wing depth chart.
Beyond Knies, Domi and Robertson the Maple Leafs are relying on 35 year old veteran Max Pacioretty to make an impact, which he has failed to do since having achilles surgery two seasons ago.
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Toronto's left-wing side is not very promising heading into the 2024-25 season, so Nick Robertson must contribute for the Maple Leafs to be among the best teams in the league. It's time for him to step up.