Robertson handed ticket to AHL Marlies
Solid prospect expected to get a lot of ice time
Perhaps Nick Robertson had an idea of what was coming. When the 20-year-old winger met with a few members of the media early on Tuesday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena, the enthusiasm he usually carries wasn’t apparent.
Several hours later, Robertson was among a group of seven players assigned by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the AHL’S Toronto Marlies.
For now, Robertson’s goal of making an impact with the Leafs is on hold.
Robertson had been engaged in a difficult battle for a spot on the left wing, and knew that a ticket to the Marlies was a distinct possibility.
“There’s downs in everyone’s career, and whatever happens, happens,” Robertson said.
“What keeps going is trying to get better and (understand) that I’m going to be a full-time NHL player one day, it’s just a matter of when. What I can take away is to get better every day and keep doing what I’m doing, which is working hard.
“I didn’t score (in pre-season games), but my confidence has built and I think I got better throughout the camp. It’s a short period of time. I wish I could have played in 10 pre-season games to see how I feel, but that’s the way it is.”
In no way should Robertson’s demotion be seen as a setback.
He has an excellent opportunity to play a lot with the Marlies and continue to develop. In 21 games with the Marlies last season, Robertson had five goals and 11 assists. In six games with the Leafs, Robertson had one assist. On the whole, he wasn’t able to get completely on track as he dealt with injuries.
Also sent to the Marlies were defencemen Joe Duszak, Teemu Kivihalme and Noel Hoefenmayer, and forwards Mikhail Abramov, Jeremy Mckenna and Jack Kopacka.
POINTS NORTH
With the pre-season winding down, the Leafs will head to Gravenhurst on Wednesday for a three-day work retreat.
“The Leafs for the last number of years through camps have gone away for the early portion, and we didn’t do that this season,” coach Sheldon Keefe said. “But there was an opportunity with this gap we have after (Tuesday’s) game, leading up to Saturday’s game, where it was a chance for us to get away.
“It’s important for a lot of reasons. We have a number of new players, so a chance to bring them to a different environment where they are together is a chance for them to grow as a team. We’re going to get some good work in while we’re there, off the ice and on the ice.
“It’s nice to get a change of scenery and skate in a different rink.”
A golf outing was planned for Wednesday, with practices scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
“It will be fun to get out there (on the golf course) with some of the guys, especially some of the new guys that we are still getting to know,” defenceman Justin Holl said. “It will be a good team bonding experience. You don’t get a lot of opportunities to do this stuff during the year because we’re so busy.”
Once the Leafs return to Toronto, all that will remain on the pre-season calendar is a home date on Saturday with the Ottawa Senators, four days before the Montreal Canadiens are back in town for the 2021-22 regular-season opener.
SUPPORT FOR HO-SANG
Put Mitch Marner in the group pulling for Josh Hosang to remain in the organization.
In camp on a professional tryout, Ho-sang has especially stood out on the power play, registering four assists in the pre-season.
“I’ve played against Josh my whole life,” Marner said. “What I’ve seen him do is nothing really too surprising to me. He has a great mindset of creativity and finding plays throughout the ice, power play or not.
“His work ethic is something that has impressed everyone. I think everyone realizes the potential he has.”
We’ll know in the coming days whether Ho-sang has done enough to secure a contract. If so, starting with the Marlies and working his way to the Leafs could be in the cards for the 25-year-old forward.
LOOSE LEAFS
The Leafs have placed goaltender Michael Hutchinson on waivers, and will keep their fingers crossed that their third-stringer is not claimed. Three years have passed since goalies Curtis Mcelhinney (Carolina) and Calvin Pickard (Philadelphia) were plucked from Toronto on the same day … Auston Matthews remained in a red sweater during practice with the non-game group, centring Robertson and Wayne Simmonds … Defenceman Jake Muzzin, dealing with a lower-body issue, did not practise on Tuesday. Travis Dermott, who did not play on Monday night in Ottawa because of a calf ailment, practised … The Marlies have opened their camp at the Ford Performance Centre … Keefe said it wasn’t true that the Leafs nixed a post-game shootout in Ottawa because some Toronto players were sick. “That wasn’t the case,” Keefe said. “We had our players selected. The referees seem to be coming over each game and asking the coaches if they want a shootout. (Ottawa coach) D.J. (Smith) threw his hands up and didn’t really care. They came over to me and I said I didn’t care, especially with us playing a back to back. It ended up that the referees more or less made the call. Either way, I was good with it.”