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Browsing: Robertson
TORONTO — As the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome back two critical components to their deadly power-play, the Toronto Maple Leafs are countering with Calle Järnkrok.
Coach Craig Berube is inserting the responsible winger for Mondayâ€s key divisional match because he was an extra penalty killer and some defensive prowess on his fourth line.
But Järnkrokâ€s trip down from the press box means someone else must go up.
And that would be Nick Robertson, again.
Robertson enjoyed his best stretch of NHL action last month, producing nicely in the Maple Leafs†top six. First, he got dropped to the fourth line in favour of Easton Cowan and Max Domi.
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What does Berube think of the wingerâ€s play?
“Well, itâ€s dropped off. And I talked to Nicky this morning,†Berube said. “Some of itâ€s ice time, obviously. And he was playing in the top six, and he was doing a good job. And then you make changes.
“But I have all the confidence that heâ€ll get it back. You know, to me, heâ€s lost a little bit of his jump and his tenacity he plays with. But at the same time, thatâ€s a little bit ice time and getting the opportunity.â€
What comes first, the jump or the ice time?
In Robertsonâ€s world, time is a flat circle.
Third-liner Pontus Holmberg was nudged into Scotiabank Arenaâ€s centre ice to lead the Lightningâ€s stretch ahead of his revenge match in Toronto.
“I was ready to come back, actually, but something happened,†Holmberg said afterwards, smiling in the visitors†room. “Right now, Iâ€m happy to be here. Itâ€s a new start for me.â€
GM Brad Treliving opted not to qualify the defensively responsible 26-year-old as a restricted free agent, and the rival Bolts inked him to a two-year deal at $1.55 million per season.
“Wow, I love that kid,†coach Jon Cooper gushes. “The puck, he protects it like you canâ€t take it from him. And so, when you need to kill another teamâ€s momentum, just put it on his stick, and heâ€ll do it all by himself. Heâ€s a competitor. Heâ€s big. Heâ€s strong. And heâ€s a foundation of a really good line for us — that may not score every single night, but they can tilt the ice.â€
The mild-mannered Swedeâ€s English has improved, and Holmberg has quickly endeared himself to his new teammates.
“They had the rookie party,†Cooper said. “I always ask who the MVP is. He might have got some votes.
“I guess they had fun. He was really fun. Heâ€s really fit in well with us, Iâ€ll tell you that.â€
Holmberg says he still stays in touch with some of his old Leafs mates and is enjoying the Florida weather.
“I relax a lot. Walking a little bit more,†he says. “Itâ€s going to be fun to play against them.â€
Maple Leafs make another power-play tweak
Whatâ€s old is new again for the Maple Leafs†infuriating power-play.
In the latest attempt to reverse the fortunes of the leagueâ€s 30th-best man-advantage (14.1 per cent), Berube has gone back to his original PP1 personnel from training camp.
Defenceman Morgan Rielly is back to quarterbacking after runs of Auston Matthews and Oliver Ekman-Larsson up top failed to yield results.
Matthew Knies goes back in for rookie Cowan, who had a shot at being the top unitâ€s facilitator from the flank.
“I went back to this unit. Looking at some video and going back to some numbers and stuff early in the year, these guys were actually pretty good, and they created a lot of opportunities,†Berube explained. “Didnâ€t go in the net. And a lot of times, if it doesnâ€t go in the net, you make changes and go from there. So, that was my reasoning for that.â€Â
How about a more extreme tweak? Blowing the talent-loaded PP1 and creating two balanced units and having them compete for 5-on-4 ice time?
“What you brought up is a valid point, and Iâ€ve definitely thought about it,†Berube conceded.
The coach is not there quite yet, even with the Leafs mustering two power-play goals in their past 11 games.
“Well, confidence is a big thing,†Berube said. “What happens is, itâ€s not going well, and you stop just being direct. You stop shooting, and youâ€re not going to get anything out of it then.
“We got to get back to just simplifying and shooting pucks and being good around the net. Thatâ€s how we did scored last year. Those big guys around the net and getting pucks in there was the DNA of our (24.8 per cent) power-play last year.â€
Lightning lose Vasilevskiy but get double boost of all-stars
Tampaâ€s all-world goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy, was moved to injured reserve and has been ruled out for both Monday in Toronto and Tuesday in Montreal.
Just the latest in a long list of injuries that have besieged the Atlantic Division.
Still, Cooper is hopeful that Vasilevskiy could be available later in the road trip, which ends Saturday on Long Island.
In the meantime, the crease belongs to backup Jonas Johansson.
“J.J.â€s been lights out, too,†said Hedman, who only returned from his injury Saturday. “We have full belief in him.â€
Shutdown defenceman Ryan McDonagh skated on his own and without equipment, so he still needs time to recover.
“Thatâ€s a bonus for us,†said Cooper, flashing a grin. Some much welcome health.
“Even through our Cup runs and all that, not since 2017 has this happened to us. And so, thereâ€s a lot of money sitting in the stands. But itâ€s encouraging to see the young guys that have come in and filled the gaps for us.â€
One-Timers: Lefty Dakota Mermis comes in for righty Philippe Myers on the Leafs†third pairing. Berube says Mermis is comfortable playing his off side and he wants to manage both Myers and Mermisâ€s usage…. Chris Tanev continues to skate with the group. Heâ€ll be evaluated again Wednesday…. Despite losing three straight, the Lightning lead the Atlantic Division and are four points up on Toronto…. Hedman: “We havenâ€t seen them without Mitch yet, so thatâ€ll be interesting to see.â€
Maple Leafs projected lineup Monday vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Knies – Matthews – Domi
Cowan – Tavares – Nylander
Joshua – Roy – McMann
Lorentz – Laughton – Järnkrok
Rielly – Ekman-Larsson
McCabe – Stecher
Benoit – Mermis
The Toronto Maple Leafs are making one lineup change ahead of their Monday-night matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Drawing in: Calle Jarnkrok. Coming out: Nick Robertson.
Toronto’s coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, where the only goal they allowed came on the power play. Despite often having one of the best power plays in the NHL, the Lightning currently sit 24th in the league, operating at 15.9 percent.
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Still, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube believes they’re dangerous on the man advantage. And that’s why he made the switch.
“It’s a good power play over there,” Berube said. “I just wanted an extra (penalty) killer in tonight. And that line with (Scott) Laughton, (Steven) Lorentz, and Jarnkrok, it’s a good checking line for us, too. We’ll need that.”
Jarnkrok hasn’t appeared in the Maple Leafs’ lineup since Nov. 28, a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. The 34-year-old has four goals in 18 games this season.
Robertson has appeared in all but one game for the Maple Leafs this season. The only time he’s come out of the lineup was on Oct. 24 against the Buffalo Sabres. After that healthy scratch, Robertson went on a tear, scoring five goals and 10 points in his next 11 games.
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Since then (his last nine games), the 24-year-old has just one goal.
‘Wish We Found A Way To Get This For Him’: Dennis Hildeby Shows Promise In Maple Leafs’ Shootout Loss To Canadiens
Part of that drop-off has come because of Robertson’s decrease in ice time. During the 11 games after being a healthy scratch, Robertson averaged 15:46 of ice time. However, in the next nine, when he registered just one point, the forward averaged 11:21 of time on ice.
“I talked to (Robertson) this morning,” Berube said after Toronto’s morning skate on Monday.
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“He was playing in the top-six and doing a good job, but then you make changes. But I have all the confidence that he’ll get it back. To me, he’s lost a little bit of his jump and the tenacity he plays with. But at the same time, that’s a little bit ice time and getting the opportunity, too.”
Berube is making one more lineup change ahead of their matchup against the Lightning: Dakota Mermis re-enters the lineup, and Philippe Myers is being scratched. Below is the Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Tampa Bay, with puck drop slated for after 7:30 p.m. ET.
Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Max Domi
Easton Cowan – John Tavares – William Nylander
Dakota Joshua – Nicolas Roy – Bobby McMann
Steven Lorentz – Scott Laughton – Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe – Troy Stecher
Simon Benoit – Dakota Mermis
Dennis Hildeby starts
Artur Akhtyamov
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Maple Leafs Prospect Ben Danford Named To Team Canada’s World Juniors Training Camp Roster
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The Friday Four is a collection of thoughts and information on some intriguing player storylines from around the NHL. On deck this week is:
• Nick Robertson becoming a crucial part of Leafs’ roster
• Simon Nemec making huge strides for Devils
• Yaroslav Askarov powering Sharks’ surge
• Emil Heineman is found money for Isles
Nick Robertsonâ€s answer was simple.
Thatâ€s what he told Sportsnetâ€s Luke Fox when asked why he looks like a different player this season. Sure, thatâ€s a big part of it. Before the Leafs were decimated with injuries, Robertson had already earned significant time in the top six and is playing 1:20 more per game than he did last season, with more talented players. Only twice did Robertson play more than 16 minutes in a game last season, but heâ€s already done it three times in 20 games this year. That has helped Robertson set a pace of 45 points this season, which would smash his previous career high.
But that isnâ€t the whole story behind Robertsonâ€s metamorphosis.
There are aspects of Robertsonâ€s game that heâ€s changed to make him tougher to play against and deserving of a bigger role. Prior to this year, youâ€d often think of Robertson as more of a perimeter player. The quality of his shot is undeniable, and if he gets time and space, he can beat a goaltender from distance, though thatâ€s not a sustainable way to create offence consistently. Robertson needed to get to the net more, and he has. In 2024-25, Robertson had 28 high-danger shots, according to NHL EDGE. These came essentially right from the slot area just outside the blue paint of the crease, and they accounted for just 25 per cent of his total shots on goal. The rest were far lower percentage shots.
This season, though, Robertson is already halfway to that number with 14 high-danger shots, accounting for 38 per cent of his total. Add in four more shots from Robertson right next to the high-danger area, and about 50 per cent of his shots this season have come from in tight near the net.
Thatâ€s a big jump from last year. Here are a couple of examples of Robertson getting to tough areas to score:
This play in particular really stands out, as Robertson crashes the net and gets body position on Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Louis Crevier, who at six-foot-eight, is nearly a full foot taller and 50 pounds heavier than Robertson. Thatâ€s simply not a battle he would have won, let alone attempted, in past years.
Instead of staying on the perimeter after he passes the puck here, Robertson works towards the front of the net and parks himself in a prime scoring area. Itâ€s an easy finish from there. These spots that Robertson is scoring from are areas he wasnâ€t comfortable inhabiting before.
In addition to getting to the front of the net more often, Robertson has also improved his puck retrievals and forechecking. Last season, Robertson ranked 10th on the Leafs when it came to chances created off the forecheck, according to Sportsnet Stats. However, in 2025-26, heâ€s worked his way all the way up to fourth on the team in that category with a more relentless compete level chasing down pucks.
Itâ€s not that Robertson hasnâ€t scored in the past, as he tallied 29 times over the past two seasons, but timely goals were few and far between. In the second round of the playoffs last spring, Robertson scored a meaningless goal in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers to make it 6-1 with a little over a minute to play. Many noted that it was a typical Robertson goal that didnâ€t affect the outcome of the game. This season, though, Robertsonâ€s goals have been much more impactful. Four of his five have come with the Leafs down by one, up by one or tied.
It’s nothing short of a minor miracle that Robertsonâ€s game is here, even if it hasnâ€t come in the biggest sample size. The 24-year-old sometimes seems 34 when you consider all heâ€s been through. He debuted in the bubble in the middle of the pandemic, spent the majority of the next two seasons in the AHL, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, has been a frequent healthy scratch, requested a trade, was banished to the press box in the post-season, and itâ€s felt like he was destined to be dealt more times than anyone can count. But heâ€s endured.
Now, Robertson feels much closer to a roster mainstay than someone whoâ€s going to be traded as soon as the Leafs get a good return. Thatâ€s not because of Robertsonâ€s production, but rather the other qualities heâ€s bringing to the table that have been in short supply for the Maple Leafs. Robertson competes, battles for pucks and provides infectious energy, all qualities head coach Craig Berube has desperately been searching for throughout his lineup this season.
He probably never imagined he would find them in Robertson.
Among the top-five picks of the 2022 NHL Draft, Simon Nemec has become somewhat of a forgotten man. Juraj Slafkovsky has carved out a good role in Montrealâ€s top six, Shane Wright looks like heâ€ll be a solid two-way forward, Logan Cooley recently got a big contract extension and Cutter Gauthier has been filling the net with regularity this season.
However, Nemec is also now starting to make people take notice. The New Jersey Devils defenceman has 12 points in 20 games, which works out to a 50-point pace and something worthy of a second-overall selection on the blue line. That wasnâ€t always the case with Nemec, though. There have been questions about his game since he entered the NHL, and those came mainly on the defensive end. Nemec perhaps was leaned on too much, too soon by the Devils, as he averaged nearly 20 minutes a night in 60 games as a rookie. That put Nemec at a minus-7 for that season, and he came into this year as a minus-17 player overall.
This season, itâ€s been a much different story. Nemec is making a huge impact for the Devils and has been explosive at times, boasting a pair of three-point games to his credit. Heâ€s also earning more of head coach Sheldon Keefeâ€s trust. Nemec has played over 26 minutes three times in November and has averaged over 22 minutes a night this month, all while going plus-seven during that stretch.
New Jersey now suddenly has an embarrassment of riches on the back end, especially offensively. The Devils have Nemec, Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton who can quarterback a power play, with both Nemec and Hamilton as right-handed shots. That gives New Jersey flexibility and maybe some contractual challenges. Hughes and Hamilton are both making $9 million a season, and while Nemec probably wonâ€t command that much, heâ€ll be in line for a significant raise if he keeps this up. The Devils could ultimately opt to explore moving one of Nemec or Hamilton to fill another roster need and save some cap space.
For now, Nemec has been a huge bright spot on a team that looks like one of the best the East has to offer. And with Jack Hughes out for two months due to an injury, the timing couldnâ€t be better for Nemec to chip in with a surge of offence.
Yaroslav Askarov wanted to leave the Nashville Predators to bet on himself. The 23-year-old felt he was ready for NHL competition, but he was stuck behind Juuse Saros in Nashville and had to wait his turn. A move to the San Jose Sharks offered a quicker path to the NHL, albeit if the destination was going to be far more challenging.
The Sharks were in the middle of a rebuild when Askarov joined the team, and they still are. He played just 13 games last season in a really tough spot, as San Jose was the worst team in the league and Askarov was under siege on most nights. Things arenâ€t really any better this year, as the Sharks arenâ€t exactly a pillar of defence. Theyâ€re allowing the second-most shots per game in the league and have a few inexperienced blueliners on the roster.
To his credit, though, Askarov has been near unbeatable in November. Heâ€s 6-1-0 in six starts with a .957 save percentage and has allowed two goals or fewer in six of seven games. They havenâ€t been easy games, either. Askarov has faced an average of 33 shots per night this month, and three of those impressive wins have come against Los Angeles, Colorado and Florida. The Avs and Panthers peppered 77 shots combined towards Askarov, and he allowed just three goals over the two contests.
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Askarovâ€s numbers have been excellent, but the thing the Sharks care about most right now is the wins. This is a team that lost its first six games to start the season and the final 11 games of the 2024-25 campaign. Macklin Celebrini has taken a massive leap, and players like Will Smith, Sam Dickinson and Michael Misa give the Sharks plenty of reasons for optimism. But itâ€s hard to win in this league with quality goaltending, and Askarov is giving San Jose a glimpse of what this teamâ€s ceiling could be when he’s on top of his game.
There is excitement on Long Island again.
Thatâ€s mainly because of Matthew Schaefer, the 18-year-old defenceman taking the NHL by storm, who may already be a lock for the Calder Trophy. Schaefer has 15 points in 21 games and has the Islanders bright-eyed and full of hope. While Schaefer is the main reason New York fans should be enthusiastic, Emil Heineman has also been a major positive spot this season.
When the Islanders dealt Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens this summer, the main part of the return was a pair of first-round picks. Heineman appeared to be more of a throw-in piece, but heâ€s been anything but since arriving in New York. The former second-round pick from 2020 had only 10 career goals in 66 games prior to this season, and heâ€s already notched nine in a month and a half with the Islanders.
Thatâ€s landed Heineman a spot on New Yorkâ€s top line with Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri and given the Isles a huge boost offensively. Last year, the Islanders ranked 27th in goals for per game, and it was one of the biggest reasons they fell short of the playoffs. Now in 2025-26, theyâ€ve jumped all the way up to eighth overall thanks to Schaefer, of course, but thereâ€s no denying Heineman has played a big role in the offensive uptick as well.
Iâ€m not sure the Islanders even knew what they were getting in Heineman, but heâ€s turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the first quarter of the season.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who died last summer in a road traffic accident.
“I’ve hid it well, but today I’ve been in bits,” the 31-year-old said. “I know the age I’m at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup.
“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he’ll be smiling over me today.
“I’m so glad it’s ended up this way. This group of boys, this group of staff – it’s the best group I’ve been involved in.
“The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable. He went through the big moments we’ve had. Qualifying for the Euros – he couldn’t quite remember – we were in Wunderbar. He said ‘let’s make it another one’.
“We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it’ll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.
“That just sums up this squad. Never say die. We just keep going right to the end and one of the craziest games. We put the country through it, but I’m sure it’s worth it. We’re going to the World Cup.
And, addressing BBC Scotland anchor Kelly Cates, Robertson added: “I can’t wait to get back down to Liverpool to have a red wine with yer da.”
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is a target for Real Madrid and Manchester City, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo is open to joining Napoli, Brazil winger Vinicius Jr closer to Real Madrid exit.
Manchester City and Real Madrid are both interested in Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, 25. (AS – in Spanish), external
Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, is open to a January loan move to Napoli but the Red Devils will not allow him to leave on a permanent deal. (Teamtalk), external
Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr, 25, wants to be paid the same as French striker Kylian Mbappe, 26, and his contract stand-off with the club will continue which is pushing him closer to a Bernabeu exit. (Sport – in Spanish), external
Chelsea have contacted Italian club Como about the availability of 21-year-old Argentina playmaker Nicolas Paz. (Caught Offside), external
Liverpool are willing to pay Inter Milan £88m (100m euros) for 26-year-old Italian centre-back Alessandro Bastoni. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external
Liverpool and Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, 31, will leave Anfield when his contract expires next summer and has already held talks with Celtic. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external
Wolfsburg are exploring a possible January move for West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug with Augsburg also interested in the 32-year-old Germany international who has been given permission to leave the Hammers. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Bayern Munich have no interest in cutting short 24-year-old Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson’s loan move from Chelsea but it is unlikely the Bundesliga side will buy him at the end of the season. (Bild – in German), external
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has the fully backing of the club’s Saudi owners and new chief executive David Hopkinson despite a disappointing start to the season. (The I), external
Antonio Conte will not resign as Napoli coach but will meet with the club’s owner Aurelio de Laurentiis in the next few days to find a solution to their struggles this season. (Il Mattino – in Italian), external
It’s been a long road to the NHL for young Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson.
Robertson was selected back in 2019 with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the NHL Draft, and he spent his first four seasons stashed down in the AHL before receiving a call-up down the stretch last year.
With New York eliminated from the playoff race, he appeared in the final two games of the regular season, finishing with three shots on goal and a +3 rating.
After more changes to the defensive core this offseason, Robertson cracked the roster as the extra defenseman to start this season, but with injuries and sluggish play he’s quickly made his way into the lineup.
Thus far, the 24-year-old has taken advantage of the opportunity.
“I’ve waited a long time for this,” Robertson told Mollie Walker of the NY Post. “I came into camp not knowing what to expect and I’m just grateful for the opportunity. Trying to make the most of every opportunity I get and trying to get better each day.”
Robertson certainly has looked the part as he’s skated in the Blueshirts’ last four games.
He finally found his way onto the scorers’ sheet on Saturday night, firing a shot from the point past Montreal’s Sam Montembeault to give him his first career goal and the Rangers their first lead in the third period.
That made up for the first big mistake of his pro career, which occurred just a minute and a half into the opening period, as a turnover sent the Canadiens the other way for an odd-man rush and the game’s opening goal.
Mike Sullivan liked how he was able to shake it and bounceback later on.
“As a young player, sometimes that can affect a guy,” the head coach said. “What I loved about it is just his response — his ability to shake it off and just play. Watching him the rest of the night, he was competing and playing hard, it didn’t effect his confidence or swagger.”
If that confidence and swagger continue growing, perhaps Robertson can solidify himself as a mainstay in the lineup.
“What’s the lesson you take away from this? You’re better being lucky than good,” former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart said on BBC Sportsound.
Luck does not last long, though, as Steve Clarke’s side found out against the Greeks in March.
It was a similar story in Athens in the first leg of their Nations League relegation play-off, with Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty earning the Scots a first-leg win.
In the second leg, Clarke’s men were totally outclassed and lost 3-0. Thursday marked the third straight match in which Greece have dominated Scotland.
“We were given a football lesson,” former Scotland defender Willie Miller said. “But we gave a lesson on winning.”
Former Scotland winger Neil McCann added: “Clarke will know that isn’t a vintage Scotland performance, but it was a vintage result.”
Performance aside, with seven points on the board and bottom seeds Belarus to face on Sunday, Clarke’s side have given themselves a great chance of ending the nation’s 27-year World Cup hoodoo.
However, the Scotland boss will be aware that poor displays could catch up on his side. How does he combat that?
Clarke’s Scotland look better when they embrace chaos and do not stand off it, especially in home matches, when they can use a rocking home crowd to their advantage.
For over an hour on Thursday,his team looked like it was playing with the handbrake on against a side ranked 40th in the world, just three places above Scotland.
The Tartan Army will demand a more front-footed approach when Belarus are welcomed to Hampden on Sunday. An expected win in that would put Scotland in a fantastic position.
Clarke will then have a month to address any worries before a potentially tenure-defining camp in November.
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