TORONTO — When Auston Matthews compares 18-year-old Nick Robertson, who scored a playoff goal in the 2020 bubble, to the 21-year-old with his best chance of making the roster after camp, he thinks of the prospect’s unlucky streak ( injuries) and bad timing (pandemic).
But Matthews also sees a confidence and composure that only comes with experience.
“The world kind of changed when he came into the league. It’s not easy mentally to get through this. Also physically. But so far he’s been looking very confident,” says Matthews.
“I think the biggest thing for him is that sometimes you try too hard and it almost works against you. You try and you force and you push and you want it so bad that sometimes you have to just chill out there and play your game. Work hard and play smart and don’t try to force the issue too much.
“He did a really good job at that camp just by finding his game. And obviously when you score a few goals you get that confidence. And he likes to do that.”
Robertson scored a point a game with the Marlies last season and his three preseason goals helped him audition in the second row alongside William Nylander and Alexander Kerfoot in Montreal on Monday.
Then Robertson went out, pulled a hook penalty that led to the Leafs’ opening powerplay goal, generated a gritty/pretty primary assist at Nylander’s insurance goal and helped set up two more in a 5-1 preseason win.
He has now accumulated seven points and shares the lead in the NHL preseason standings with Matt Duchene and Timo Meier.
For Robertson to make the most of his greatest weapon, he needs top-notch offensive minutes. However, a top-six role also requires that the five-foot-tall left winger be able to match the strength of the top NHL D-men and be trusted defensively.
“I’m not sure I can’t really teach him a lot about shooting because, honestly, I think he probably shoots harder than anyone else on the team,” says Matthews.
“It’s just small details of the game (that) matter that much, especially considering how fast the lads are and how tight the game is to be able to capitalize on that shot when there’s not a lot of space.”
Kerfoot doesn’t want the child to be portrayed as a one-trick pony.
“He’s much more than just a shooter, right? He’s a good hockey player, for example,” says Kerfoot. “He can play, works really hard and is willing to do whatever needs to be done to be a good all-around player.”
Keefe raves that Robertson’s exhibition games are “the best I’ve seen Nick in a Leafs jersey,” particularly as he attributes his approach to offense (six points in three games) to the team structure and accelerated pace of the pros adjusted.
As much as Robertson’s stellar camp has teased fans and impressed his teammates, there’s still no guarantee he won’t start the 2022-23 season as Marlie.
“As much as this is an NHL preseason game, this isn’t the NHL,” notes Keefe.
“But in Nick’s case, whatever was in front of him, he just kept getting better.”
Sandin is stress free…finally
“Bang bang bang.”
This is how Muzzin describes the life of practice partner Rasmus Sandin since he signed his bridge contract last week.
The young defender is still adjusting to his time in Toronto after happily hopping on an Atlantic flight from Sweden, undergoing medical tests, catching up on missed meetings and throwing himself into training.
He’s busy but relaxed.
“I would say this summer hasn’t been a stress free period. It was definitely stressful. From the start of summer I thought[my contract]was going to get done every single day and every single week,” Sandin said in his first meeting with Leafs reporters.
“I was watching the preseason games and I was just itching to come and play here.”
Sandin says his welcome was warm and he has no problem patrolling the ice to the right of Muzzin, his unnatural side, in the absence of pal Timothy Liljegren.
“I’m comfortable on the right,” says Sandin. “I have to prove myself. I have to show them I’ve had a good summer and be ready when the season starts.”
Keefe believes the 22-year-old has had enough time in the league to figure out his strengths and weaknesses and is “now at the right age to really thrive”.
Sandin spent his summer training (and golfing) alongside William Nylander and went from 178 to 194 pounds.
To relieve himself of the stress of the standoff, Sandin says he would leave his phone at home and scavenge in the woods for chanterelles to use in cooking.
“I’m really happy to be back,” he says. “The sun is out right now, so I can’t complain.”
Muzzin’s past troubles go way back
Muzzin may have been slowed down by injuries of late but the 33-year-old’s wit is as quick as ever.
When asked how he went from saying he was physically fine on media day to spending the first week of camp with back pain, Muzzin quips, “I think it was sitting and talking all day the media.”
Upon returning to training shortly after watching forwards Calle Järnkrok and Alexander Kerfoot play the majority of a preseason shutout win as a defender, “I had to go back so I wouldn’t lose my job.”
Humor is a wonderful distraction.
But the risk of injury is something serious for Muzzin, a family man who suffered back-to-back concussions last winter and missed 43 percent of the Toronto regular season to recover from multiple injuries.
“If you want to get deep into the subject, yes, there is life after hockey. You want to be able to be normal. i have children I want to be able to play with them,” Muzzin said on Monday.
“But I’m not worried about that. We are taking the right steps here and are steering them, and we will continue to do so.”
Muzzin doesn’t want to use the word injury as he spoke about the discomfort and tension that was building up in his back.
It’s an area of the injured defender’s body that he’s cared for since he was 15 and underwent surgery on two herniated discs that robbed the player of his first OHL season at Sault Ste. Marie.
While Muzzin admits his false start at camp was frustrating, he is now cleared for contact, improving his condition and aiming to get into his first game of the preseason this weekend.
“You play long and many games, and stuff adds up and builds up. It’s something we’ve handled really well for a long time and we need to continue to do that,” says Muzzin.
“Any time you have surgery at that age and in a crucial area where you play sports, it’s something you deal with every day. And I’ve been doing this for what, 15 years now. So it’s nothing new to me.”
Muzzin has absolute trust and respect for the club’s medical staff, who help him play as many games as possible.
“It’s unreal,” he says. “The guys in there will extend your career.”
How Muzzin’s body will hold up to the rigors of another long season will be a question that lingers like a backache.
“I’m not worried about Jake,” says Keefe. “If anything, last year’s playoff experience has shown us that he will be ready to play as long as his body can put him in the lineup, which looks like it at this point. He’ll be ready.”
One-time: Matt Murray played 100 minutes in a Leafs sweater and conceded just one goal on a Habs power play. He is 44 for 45 faced on gunshots…. John Tavares (oblique) and Timothy Liljegren (hernia) have resumed skating…. With Tavares out, Michael Bunting makes good on his promotion to top powerplay unit…. Calle Järnkrok didn’t feel well enough to train on Sunday but returned to action on Monday… Pierre Engvall is recovering well after twisting his foot during off-season training but will need further imaging before being given the green light for contact. He’s training fully with the group and is hoping to catch some preseason action against the Red Wings this weekend. “We’re not quite there yet,” warns Keefe.
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