Robertson scratched for game against Flyers
It appears as though we will not see Nick Robertson suiting up for the Leafs when they take on the Flyers Wednesday night. The undersized winger has seen his ice time cut over the past few games by Sheldon Keefe, playing just over a combined 14:30 in his last two games.
Robertson has gone from playing on the second line, alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, to the third line, and now the press box. It seems undeserved for such a young, promising player. Robertson has been far from the only Leaf who hasn't looked great the past few games.
Joining the team in his place will be Marlies call up Pontus Holmberg. Holmberg impressed at training camp and will centre the third line between Engvall and Jarnkrok. A fourth line of Aston-Reese, Kampf and Malgin will round out the bottom 6. Alex Kerfoot will take over Robertson's slot on line 2 as Keefe reassembles the 2nd line from last season.
Frankly, I don't like this move from Keefe. Robertson's compete level has been through the roof since his call up and has put up more points than anyone not named David Kampf in the bottom 6. I see no reason for someone like Engvall to be in the lineup over the former Peterborough Petes star, let alone the unproven Holmberg.
If Keefe doesn't plan on using the early season to let Robertson develop, he should be in the minors, playing big minutes in all situations. Putting him in the press box only serves to further stunt his development. The Leafs are at risk of botching the best goal scoring prospect they have. If they do, it could be the last straw for Sheldon Keefe's job - which might already be in jeopardy after a 4-4-2 start.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 1 | 431 ANSWERS Robertson scratched for game against Flyers Is Sheldon Keefe right to scratch Robertson? | ||
| Yes, he hasn't done much over the past few games | 53 | 12.3 % |
| No, the kid needs to play | 331 | 76.8 % |
| Just send him to the minors | 47 | 10.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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