Ex-Maple Leaf blasts Nick Robertson after forward’s struggling start. (Image Source: Imagn)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo has criticized forward Nick Robertson for his slow start to the season.

Robertson has struggled to make a meaningful impact, managing only one goal and zero assists in 19 games this season. Since being drafted in 2019, his overall production has also been disappointing, with just 18 goals and 35 points in 106 career games, leading to increased scrutiny.

On the FirstUp podcast, Colaiacovo said that Nick Robertson has been given ample opportunities to succeed but hasn’t taken full advantage of them.

“Nick Robertson is turning into Timothy Liljegren 2.0 where you’re being given every opportunity to try to produce at this level, and you you just never take advantage of it. The Maple Leafs need a guy like Robertson who has the amount of games and experience under his belt to step up,” Colaiacovo said.

Colaiacovo pointed out that there are limits to how many chances the Maple Leafs can give Robertson. He noted that while hard work is important, it’s equally crucial to work smart.

He reckons Nick Robertson is trying to find the right balance between these two aspects of his game. This struggle may be affecting his ability to make a significant impact on the ice.

“I think because he’s struggling offensively so much, he’s trying to tell himself to do too many things, and doing too many things just exposes you to be a bad hockey player right now,” Colaiacovo added.

Robertson signed a one-year, $875,000 contract extension with the Leafs ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season. That came after the 23-year-old’s career-high season of 27 points (14 goals and 13 assists) in 56 games last term.

Craig Berube encourages Nick Robertson to keep pushing through struggles

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube shared his thoughts on Robertson. He showered supportive words for the player.

“He’s just gotta stick with it. We all feel for him and want him to put the puck in the net. It’s not easy. He did some real good things tonight, even though he didn’t score,” Berube said.

Robertson will hope to bounce back when the Maple Leafs face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. The Leafs are atop the Atlantic Division with a 13-7-2 record and 28 points after 22 games.