The Toronto Maple Leafs coach, Craig Berube, seemingly gave Nick Robertson some good news as training camp opens.
Robertson is competing for a roster spot, and his name has come up in trade rumors. Before camp opened, Berube said the forward wasn’t guaranteed a spot.
But, now, as camp opened, the Maple Leafs coach praised the skilled winger, which could give him an inside track to a roster spot and playing every game.
“Nicky’s a hard worker player that puts a puck in the net, right? He scores goals and he’s definitely a part of this team and we’ll see where he fits,” Berube said about Robertson. “Camp will sort that out and see wherever he fits. So right now I can’t tell you exactly where he’s going to play and I can’t tell you where a lot of guys are going to play. I’ve got to see how they look and where they fit. But I think he’s a valuable player and we like Nick. Again, he puts the puck to the net, works hard, good skater, so we’re glad he’s here.”
It’s a total change of tune from Berube, who seemingly has confidence in Robertson to make an impact for the forward group this season.
Robertson signed a one-year, $1.825 million extension with the Maple Leafs this offseason. He will be an RFA at the end of the deal.
Berube Wouldn’t Guarantee Robertson a Spot
Berube’s tone about Robertson is completely different than what he said earlier this month.
While speaking to The Athletic in a one-on-one interview, Berube wouldn’t guarantee Robertson a spot. He also didn’t ooze much confidence in the skilled winger as he did when camp opened on Sept. 17.
“There’s a lot of competition at camp. I’ll leave it at that. There’s a lot of competition at camp, which is great. I think it makes for a competitive camp and that’s what we want, because that’s gonna get us more prepared for the regular season. I don’t have the answer to that right now. There’s jobs available and again, it’s a competition. You gotta come in and play your ass off and earn a spot,” Berube said to The Athletic.
Robertson could be a top-six winger that Toronto needs if he is given the chance. But, given all the depth the Maple Leafs added to the bottom-six, it will be easier said than done for him to make the roster.
Robertson recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games last season.
Maple Leafs Shopping Robertson
Robertson was a healthy scratch throughout the season and in the playoffs for the Maple Leafs.
The forward publicly asked for a trade last offseason, but he wasn’t moved. Now, with his role not set, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period named Robertson a trade candidate heading into training camp.
“The Maple Leafs will once again evaluate the trade market on Robertson, who improved this season but remained in and out of the lineup,” Pagnotta wrote.
Robertson was selected 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Maple Leafs Coach Gives Nick Robertson Good News As Camp Opens