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Young Leaf openly frustrated with his situation in Toronto
Photo credit: NHL
Prior to last Friday's NHL trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs had make a surprising roster move to accommodate the return of Calle Jarnkrok from a 13-game absence due to a broken knuckle. It resulted in Nicholas Robertson being sent down to the Toronto Marlies for 10 days.
On Monday morning, Robertson was recalled and joined the Leafs for practice at Scotiabank Arena. While he was happy to be back with the big club, he did not mince words when it came to voicing his displeasure with his playing situation.
"I understand it but I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm happy," Robertson said following practice at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. "I want to play, but I understand my contract situation. Obviously, if it wasn't the way it was maybe it would be a different situation but it is what it is."
The former second-round pick began the season with the Marlies after losing his spot to Fraser Minten, and cap complications, but after four games, found himself back on the roster as a season-ending injury.
Robertson was unsure of when he will be back in the lineup but noted that while frustrated, he is not looking for a change of scenery just yet.
"I don't know what the day is going to look like day-to-day if it's skate by myself or with the team. I'm just keeping my phone on standby and keep doing what I'm doing and make manageable with the reps I get and just be happy to be with the boys. I've been in plenty of situations before where waivers have kind of screwed me. I'm numb to it. I've had to be in situations where I've had to find my way back and stuff. But like I said, I'm not happy about it. I want to be in the lineup. It is what it is. I just manage it and wait for my name to be called."
Barring injury, it does not appear that Robertson will get into the lineup this week as he skated as an extra along with Noah Gregor. In 41 games with the Leafs this season, Robertson has 8 goals and 19 points while averaging just over 11 minutes per game. If Robertson doesn't see much action the rest of the season, the pending RFA could be on his way out of Toronto this summer.
| POLL | ||
MARS 12 | 447 ANSWERS Young Leaf openly frustrated with his situation in Toronto Will Robertson be a Leafs next season? | ||
| Yes | 129 | 28.9 % |
| No | 318 | 71.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
