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"No reason why he can't play in the top-six now" - Frank Corrado shows confidence in Nick Robertson for 2024 season with Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson wants a fresh start on another team. After expressing his desire for a trade back in June, he and the Maple Leafs have been unable to finalize a satisfactory deal for the restricted free agent. Robertson's insistence on moving has led to an impasse between the two sides.
As a restricted free agent, Robertson has fewer rights and options compared to an unrestricted free agent, complicating his situation. In light of the latest update on the Robertson-Maple standoff, many fans are questioning why he is so insistent on moving to another team, especially given his improved showing in the last campaign.
On Wednesday's episode of "First Up," NHL insider Frank Corrado spoke about how Robertson might have more opportunities under new coach Craig Berube, opportunities that were limited for him under Sheldon Keefe.
"A small-ish younger guy, highly skilled, offensive threat," Corrado said. "'Am I gonna get more opportunity under Craig Berube, who is probably coming in and wants to establish a different kind of game.' ... You kinda owe it to yourself to see if it works here first, and stay healthy for a whole season. There is plenty of opportunity for him here.
"Like skill-wise and shot-wise, there's no reason why he can't play top six now with, with who's there. And if he does, think about how, think about how much more deep your lineup is. ... He has every opportunity to be a middle-six forward on this team. But like, he's got to commit to wanting to do it."
Frank Corrado on Nick Robertson's future with the Maple Leafs
Last season, Nick Robertson split time between the NHL and the AHL, playing nine games for the Toronto Marlies and 56 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his time with the Maple Leafs, Robertson put up career-high numbers, recording 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists).
He also made his return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the team's first-round matchup with the Boston Bruins, his first playoff appearance since the 2019-20 season.
Given his performance and the playoff minutes he received, it seems Nick Robertson is keen on taking his game to the next level. The way Frank Corrado sees things, Robertson is showing new elements in his play that are an indication of his evolution.
"I will say last year, at times, Nick Robertson's game looked like it was taking a step. Like, I do feel like there were times where he was more than just a shooter or more than just an offensive threat, where he was working away from the puck, he was fighting through checks and bodies.
"He has to continue to do that and not kind of ask for the easy way out here and just say, let me go somewhere else. There's an opening here for him to make something happen."
With training camps set to start for the 2024-25 season soon, it is yet to be seen how the situation plays out.
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