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If the intent of giving Nick Robertson plenty of opportunity in the preseason was to improve his trade value, then he has accomplished that goal, but the 23-year-old’s goal-scoring prowess and his attention to detail has to be convincing GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube that the winger is a keeper.
Robertson scored both Toronto goals in the Maple Leafs 2-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, and has now scored five straight in the preseason.
"He's been great. I think that (Nick's) been really good defensively and killing penalties and also producing offensively with goals.” Berube said after the game. “His speed is excellent, he's got a great shot, so he's using his skill and using his feet really well."
The Leafs outworked and outperformed a mostly NHL Detroit lineup, getting an excellent effort from a group fighting for spots on their roster, and giving Treliving some hard choices to make with just 72 hours before rosters have to be cut to 23.
Goaltending - Veteran Anthony Stolarz was spectacular at times in a 30-save shutout effort, providing some confidence that he will be a solid 1B tandem partner to presumptive 1A starter Joseph Woll. The question is whether the Leafs will keep just two goalies or go with three with veteran Matt Murray vulnerable to being claimed on waivers.
Defense – The Sportsnet crew zeroed in on the fact that veteran Timothy Liljegren played on Thursday with the group of mostly Marlies. With the Leafs annual cap crunch coming up, is it possible that Treliving is looking to jettison the 25-year-old’s $3 million salary? It is more likely that another righty in Conor Timmins (who has barely played) is placed on waivers to clear his $1.1 million cap hit.
Philippe Myers had some impressive moments, as did big rookie Cade Webber and Marshall Rifai. Barring an unforeseen trade, the Leafs will likely carry seven blueliners. The question is whether Jani Hakanpaa starts the season on LTIR, since he slowly ramping up from a knee injury.
Forwards – Let’s check off the things that are highly probable:
Easton Cowan – sent back to London. He has great potential and has played well, but there is no room for him. It makes no sense for him to play a bottom-six role. Go back to the Knights, get stronger, play for Canada at the WJC, and maybe he gets called up after his season in junior is over with.
Nikita Grebenkin – has a lot of tools that could make him an excellent NHLer. Go down to the AHL and hone your skills.
Max Pacioretty – Two assists on Thursday. How does a third line of Pacioretty – Tavares – Robertson sound?
Calle Jarnkrok / David Kampf – There has been a lot of chatter that one of these veteran forwards could be on the way out. Jarnkrok has struggled with injury in camp, but his versatility to be able to play multiple positions makes the 33-year-old valuable. The Leafs willingness to trade Kampf depends on whether A) Berube is comfortable with Nylander or Domi at 2C, and B) believes that Pontus Holmberg or Steven Lorentz can replace him at fourth line C.
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