Nick Robertson may be on his way out of Toronto

Photo credit: NHL.com

Former Leafs GM Brian Burke has shared his very blunt assessment of what the Maple Leafs should do about the Nick Robertson situation.

In June, Robertson requested a trade in search of a fresh start after another season of coming in and out of the lineup frequently. GM Brad Treliving, however, was reluctant to trade the 23-year-old, believing he would have that fresh start in Toronto under new head coach Craig Berube.

The two sides eventually came to terms on a new 1-year deal, and Robertson cracked the opening night roster for the first time in his career, but he has since been subjected to the same yo-yo’ing of being in and out of the lineup that he went through with Sheldon Keefe.

While some may see it as him not getting the opportunity he was promised, in reality, Robertson has not produced the way he did in the pre-season to warrant a consistent spot in the lineup as he has just 1 goal through 12 games this season.

Yesterday, on ‘Leafs Morning Take’, former Leafs GM Brian Burke was asked about Robertson’s situation and believes there are two ways to solve the issue.
“I like the player. Everyone does but he’s not what they need. The problem is, he is a square peg in a round hole for me. He’s a good player, he’s a good kid from everything I see and he’s a guy that should be playing in the league, but it doesn’t have to be for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I think Brad Treliving has done a pretty good job. He’s a smart guy, but I think it’s time to maybe move on from Nick or move a player like Nick and give him more ice time, but the shuffling in and out and different lineups every night, that gets old. Players don’t like it.”

 

 

Ask Burke noted, the Leafs can either give him more of an opportunity by moving a similar player or finally granting him his fresh start somewhere else. As the Leafs need to make room for Connor Dewar and Jani Hakanpaa in the coming days, once they complete their conditioning stints with the Marlies, Robertson has once again been the subject of trade rumours.

Robertson does have the ability to be a contributor as we saw last year with his 14 goals in 56 games, but as he has played in 12 of 14 games so far this season, he has yet to prove that he deserves to play more minutes higher in the lineup. His future with the club could be decided in the coming days and is something to keep an eye on.