Nick Robertson reached restricted free agent status again and signed a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, but trade speculation continues. Expectations have been raised unfairly for a second-round pick who scored 15 goals last season. A perceived lack of a polished, gritty all-around game has left Robertson likely out of the Maple Leafs' lineup, displaced by Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua. That situation risks making Robertson a $1.8 million 13th forward unless injuries create opportunity. Pittsburgh emerges as a logical trade destination due to Kyle Dubas connections and the Penguins entering a transitional phase as veteran stars near the end of their tenures.
But that deal has done little to quell the chatter linking him to multiple teams via trade. The chatter has put undue pressure on Robertson. Expectations have been set unreasonably high. Some sectors have been disappointed that Robertson isn't a 30-goal scorer or hasn't racked up the 60 points. The fact is that Robertson was a second-round pick. While second-rounders come with high expectations, they're not nearly as high as a first-rounder would command.
Second, the seeming lack of a polished all-around game and gritty play has landed Robertson out of the Maple Leafs' lineup this upcoming season. The additions of Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua have all but pushed Robertson completely out of the lineup. As such, he's likely on the outside looking in, unless injuries open up a lineup spot. That scenario all but makes Nick Robertson a $1.8 million 13th forward on the Maple Leafs' roster.
Collection
[
|
...
]