This is make-it or break-it for Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson

No fan base hypes prospects like Leafs Nation.

So when the Toronto Maple Leafs took Nick Robertson 53rd overall in 2019, the fan base couldn’t get enough of him. He showed flashes of brilliance at the OHL level and he upped the stakes with a 55-goal Draft+1 season in 2019-20.

When Robertson made his playoff debut against Columbus during the COVID bubble in 2020, fans were ecstatic to see the energy he brought to the table. He attacked hard on every shift and was eventually rewarded with a goal in his third playoff game.

Perhaps the Leafs found a second-round gem.

But it’s 2023, and Robertson has just 31 regular season games to his credit and hasn’t had a second trip to the playoffs. Since 2020-21, Robertson has played a total of 82 hockey games between the NHL and AHL. Robertson will start Monday’s preseason game on the third line with William Nylander and Max Domi. If there has ever been a time to show what you’re capable of, it’s Monday, with the lineup as close to the real thing as we’ve seen so far.

A lot of Robertson’s development issues haven’t been his fault. He suffered a knee injury in 2020-21, a right fibula fracture in 2021-22 and a shoulder injury in December of 2022. Add in a concussion and other groin issues and you’ve got one of the most banged-up young prospects around.

Ignoring the injury front, Robertson has occasionally been a healthy scratch and had multiple trips down to the Toronto Marlies. The Arcadia, California native has had no issue showing what he’s capable of as an offensive player, but whether it is out of his control or not, finding consistency has been a nearly impossible task for the youngster.”

“It’s not a matter of skill with Robo,” a scout said. “It’s there. He shows it almost every night. It’s about seizing the opportunity and beating out the team’s depth. You don’t want to shove him on the fourth line, but he excels in scoring chances, which aren’t always easy to come by deeper in the group.”

With the Leafs electing to start the season with Nylander down the middle, Toronto should have three dangerous scoring lines to start the season. Even with the additions of Max Domi, Matthew Knies and Tyler Bertuzzi, this might actually be Robertson’s chance to prove himself without being miscast.

But the clock is ticking.

Start. Stop. Start. Stop. Start. Stop. That’s the best way to describe Robertson’s young career.

Robertson has had some great looks, but burying consistently has been a problem. And with Noah Gregor’s play likely earning him a deal with the Leafs sometime over the next week, something will need to give for Robertson. For a guy that builds his game on scoring, one goal and zero assists in four games doesn’t exactly do you any favors. It’s not like there haven’t been chances, either – he has 19 shots while averaging 15:56 a night.

There’s only so much you can do to prevent injuries. It doesn’t help he’s 5-foot-9, either, which is likely a contributing factor to his injury history. With three goals and seven points in 31 games, he’s hardly been effective when it matters for the Leafs. But he’s too good for the AHL, too. He could head back to the Marlies to start the season to get some reps in, but if it’s anything like we’ve seen from him in the past, he’ll leave the Leafs no option but to bring him back. Then what?

With one year left on his entry-level contract, Robertson remains waiver-exempt with his $796,667 salary. So sending him down is easy. But after parts of four pro seasons already, they will want more out of No. 89 sooner rather than later. If it doesn’t work out in Toronto, there should be no shortage of interested parties looking to snag a young, skilled winger at a discount.

Robertson wants to be in Toronto – and by all accounts, they’re not ready to give up on him. But it’s up to Robertson to make it harder for management to keep him away.