Injuries costing Leafs' Nick Robertson critical development years: ‘It sucks for him’

TORONTO — The number of critical days lost for Nick Robertson keeps mounting.

Considering the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect’s relentless intensity and fierce desire to stick in the NHL, it’s difficult to fathom where the 21-year-old scorer would be at on his developmental trajectory were it not for a bad luck and multiple significant injuries.

“I think this is his year,” older brother Jason beamed in October.

Added Nick himself, during a preseason brimming with optimism: “It just seems like a bigger opportunity for me.”

Frustratingly, Robertson’s hopes for his first strong professional season — heck, even a decent or complete one — were dashed this week, when the left winger opted for a shoulder surgery that will require six months of rehabilitation.

The forward originally tried rehabbing his shoulder, damaged by a body-twisting hit from Los Angeles Kings defenceman Matt Roy on Dec. 8, without going under knife.

But he ultimately decided to get the procedure and focus on rebuilding his strength once again for 2023-24.

Since his head-turning 55-goal season for the Peterborough Petes and immediate leap into the 2020 Stanley Cup playoff bubble, where he filled a dream in an empty barn, Robertson has played a grand total of 82 games (51 with the Marlies, 31 for the Leafs).

A pandemic and his recurring trips to injured reserve (shoulder, leg, groin, concussion) have conspired to chop his three first seasons of pro-level development into one scattered season’s worth of work.

“Yeah, it sucks for him. He’s so young, and he's just getting his foot in the door,” Leafs veteran Mark Giordano sympathized.

“(Surgery) obviously is something that's necessary, and I think for him, he's gonna look back probably when he's older and be like, ‘This made me stronger mentally in my career.’ Right now, it's a tough pill to swallow. But I think in the long run, it might be something that mentally make him a little bit tougher with that adversity.”

The California native has returned home to be with his family and will spend a while recovering and training there before returning to the Maple Leafs facility closer to training camp.

Coach Sheldon Keefe said his message to Robertson is one of encouragement.

“That despite the adversity he's had with his injuries, he has found ways each time to bounce back and still show progression in his game. It hasn't seemed to have stalled him in terms of its development,” Keefe said.

“He came in and has given us some good minutes at the NHL level. So, he's been in this situation before. You never question his work ethic. He is committed.”

Robertson will be 22 years old and in the final year of his entry-level deal with Toronto when camp opens in the fall.

One-Timers: Florida comes into town tired and happy after defeating the Sabres 4-1 in Buffalo Monday afternoon. Trying to claw into the playoff picture, the Panthers have won five of seven for the first time all season and have a chance to post their first three-game win streak. ... Matt Murray, who lost in Boston Saturday, gets the nod in goal. Keefe said the club wants to increase Murray’s workload on home ice. ... Depth defenceman Victor Mete (lower body) travelled with the Leafs on their most recent road trip and skated solo Monday. His return is not imminent, however. ... Rasmus Sandin and Pontus Holmberg skated Tuesday morning but will not play as they recover from the flu bug going around the Toronto room. ... A healthy Bobby McMann will draw back in, and Wayne Simmonds will be healthy-scratched.

Maple Leafs projected lines vs. Panthers Tuesday

Bunting – Matthews – Nylander

Järnkrok – Tavares – Marner

McMann – Kämpf – Engvall

Aston-Reese – Kerfoot – Hunt

Rielly – Liljegren

Giordano – Holl

Benn – Timmins

Murray starts

Samsonov