Robertson still has the right to an RFA, and the Toronto Maple Leafs made him a qualifying offer worth $813k against the cap (all salary figures sourced from PuckPedia.com).
With the Leafs last season, the 22-year-old participated in 56 games and finished with 14 goals and 13 assists for a total of 27 points. Stats sourced from NHL.com.
Robertson will be needed to provide them with crucial and effective minutes because Brad Treliving hasn’t added anything to the forward group thus far and they are losing Bertuzzi.
Robertson Is Needed by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Sheldon Keefe only gave Robertson an average of 11:23 minutes on the ice per game the previous season. Ryan Reaves was the only other forward who saw less playing time than Robertson. That’s a rather good goal total considering those short minutes and no powerplay time.
The Leafs have lost 21 goals in the lineup since Bertuzzi left, and Matthews is not going to record 69 goals in consecutive seasons. Given those two factors, in order to make up for what you lost, you need to find goals from other guys this year.
I have no problem seeing Robertson score at least 20 goals this upcoming season if he is given a top-six position and perhaps some powerplay time. He simply needs more opportunities as he has a tremendous shot.
Robertson has been criticized for his poor decision-making and propensity for getting harmed easily. Although there is something to each of those criticisms, it is true that a 22-year-old athlete has been benched. If you are not allowing him the chance to practice defense, how is he expected to improve it, or at least try?
In the end, the Leafs have consistently advanced to the playoffs with relative ease. Berube should give Robertson more of a chance when you play Anaheim on a Tuesday night in February. During the dog days of the season, you don’t have to throw your big players out there in a meaningless game for 22 minutes every night. Young players learn and grow there, which will be helpful for players like Cowan, Robertson, and Knies should he reach the squad this season.
There will be another void in this lineup that needs to be filled if the Leafs fold and trade Robertson. At the age of 22, he has participated in just 87 league games. A person who hasn’t shown anything in the league cannot bully you. It’s time for a contract disagreement to be resolved in this front office. Tell him about the potential that will present itself here next year, or find out whether he is truly willing to miss out on a whole year of growth.
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