Nick Robertson was playing his best hockey as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs following the 4 Nations Face-Off break, and now, he can’t find his way back into the Leafs’ lineup. Simply put, head coach Craig Berube should be playing him ahead of fourth-liner Pontus Holmberg.
Robertson’s been inconsistent throughout parts of this season but he’s also taken what Berube’s thrown at him this season, learned from it, added the preached elements to his game, and it was paying off. Robertson has 11 goals in 55 games on the year, prior to Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers, but he’s been stellar these last few weeks on the defensive side, and without the puck, so it doesn’t make a ton of sense for him to once again be in the press box waiting for an opportunity.
Robertson brings another element of secondary scoring to Toronto’s lineup. His shot is elite, he loves to find the open space for his signature one-timer, but this season he’s managed to get to the dirty areas of the ice. During the past few weeks he’s been way more physical than we’ve seen in the past. With Max Pacioretty out of the lineup, there’s been a spot open at second-line left-wing, a spot Holmberg received an audition at for a few games. Although Holmberg is a strong skater on the forecheck, he lacks the offensive instincts that Robertson possesses, and is much better suited for a fourth-line role.
Heading into Thursday’s tilt, a huge divisional game, Calle Jarnkrok has been moved up to a top-six role. Jarnkrok is frankly best served as a third-line checker, and could be a force if paired with Scott Laughton on the Maple Leafs’ shut-down line. Instead, Jarnkrok enters the top six, Bobby McMann continues to stay ahead of Robertson on the depth chart, and Holmberg gets the call on the fourth line.
Robertson can’t seem to catch a break. Holmberg hasn’t scored in his last six games. Yes, he works hard, can be a fifth option as a centre if needed, but the same can be said about Jarnkrok, so there’s no need for any ‘centre insurance’ with Jarnkrok now available. Long term, the Maple Leafs are going to need Robertson in the mix more than Holmberg. He has a much higher ceiling offensively, and he’s paid close attention to details without the puck, showing that he’s a coachable forward for Toronto, and someone they’ll need looking ahead to the next three-to-five seasons.
Robertson was catching his stride as an NHLer this season, and Berube and company have currently snatched that away and killed any momentum or confidence he was building in his game. He should be re-inserted in the Leafs’ lineup, and shouldn’t be in the press box, especially with Holmberg being a clear option to replace.