Maple Leafs Head Coach Breaks Silence on Nick Robertson’s Slump

Nick Robertson’s scoring slump continues, but Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube remains optimistic about the young forward’s overall contributions.

It’s been more than a month since Robertson, who has been in and out of the Leafs lineup, last scored a goal (his only one this season) when he did so on Oct. 22 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Following Toronto’s 3–2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday, Berube acknowledged Robertson’s struggles but recognized an overall improvement in his play.

“He’s just gotta stick with it,” Berube said, per SDPN’s Jesse Blake. “We all feel for him. We want him to put the puck in the net. It’s not easy.

“He did some real good stuff tonight, even though he didn’t score.”

As things stand, and with all of the injuries impacting the Leafs’ lineups, Roberston is playing on the third and second lines most of the time next to Pontus Holmgren in center.

Robertson has just one goal in 17 games this season and went scoreless again against Utah despite logging nearly 17 minutes of ice time and recording a single shot on goal.

Craig Berube on Nick Robertson:

Craig Berube on Nick Robertson:

"He's just gotta stick with it….We all feel for him. We want him to put the puck in the net. It's not easy… He did some real good stuff tonight, even though he didn't score."@sdpnsports

— Jesse Blake (@JesseBlake) November 25, 2024

The forward, however, has remained upbeat amid his goalscoring struggles and seems to be focused on contributing in other areas.

“I think for me, I’ve gotten better at stealing pucks and want to do an even better job at it because that’s where, (playing on the) third line, I’m gonna get offense,” Robertson told Jonas Siegel of The Athletic. “I gotta get the puck back, I gotta find ways to get myself into the game with that, and just focus on the puck retrievals, trying to get the puck on my stick.”

On Sunday’s victory, Toronto’s offense was once again led by Marner and William Nylander, with Marner scoring twice and Nylander adding a goal and an assist.