Craig Berube Hints at the End of Nick Robertson's Days in Toronto
It hasn't been an easy road for Nick Robertson with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing games in five consecutive seasons for the teams, but not locking down a role.
There's no doubt Robertson is skilled -- he's got a great shot, and a good offensive brain, but despite being handed top-six opportunities at times, he hasn't run with it.
Last season was his highest games-played of his career - 69, in which he had only 22 points and didn't contribute much physically or defensively; that's not a player a coach, especially not one like Craig Berube, wants on his team.
Berube Highlights Competition at Camp When Asked About Nick Robertson - Probably Not a Good Sign
When asked about Robertson, Berube inferred this sentiment, where he highlighted the competition on the Leafs' roster in training camp:
"There's a lot of competition at camp. I'll leave it at that. There's a lot of competition at camp, which is great. I think it makes for a competitive camp, and that's what we want, because that's going to get us more prepared for the regular season. I don't have the answer to that right now. There are jobs available and, again, it's a competition. You've got to come in and play your ass off and earn a spot."
Now making $1.825 million, which is rich for a player of his calibre, the relationship between the Leafs and Robertson is bound to come to an end soon; Jonas Siegel of The Athletic doesn't know, however, if there's even a team that would take him on:
This was not encouraging for Nick Robertson. Not one bit. Berube didn't even say his name.
I wondered if the Leafs would opt not to offer Robertson a qualifying offer after last season. And this only reinforces that line of thinking. Why bring back a player who doesn't fit the coach, was mostly a scratch in the playoffs and probably isn't thrilled to be returning to a team that doesn't seem especially fond of him, again?
The Leafs ended up paying him $1.8 million, on a one-year deal, to return.
Berube's response made me wonder, for the millionth time, if Robertson isn't long for Toronto. Is there a team that wants to take a flier on him and is willing to pay him that rate?
I wondered if the Leafs would opt not to offer Robertson a qualifying offer after last season. And this only reinforces that line of thinking. Why bring back a player who doesn't fit the coach, was mostly a scratch in the playoffs and probably isn't thrilled to be returning to a team that doesn't seem especially fond of him, again?
The Leafs ended up paying him $1.8 million, on a one-year deal, to return.
Berube's response made me wonder, for the millionth time, if Robertson isn't long for Toronto. Is there a team that wants to take a flier on him and is willing to pay him that rate?
What a fall from grace for a player that was once so highly touted.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 10 | 375 ANSWERS Craig Berube Hints at the End of Nick Robertson's Days in Toronto Do you want your team to trade for Nick Robertson? | ||
| Yes | 191 | 50.9 % |
| No | 184 | 49.1 % |
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