Mike Augello: Training Camp – Day #14, Robertson Bolsters Case In Win Over Habs

Mike Augello: Training Camp – Day #14, Robertson Bolsters Case In Win Over Habs
- mikeinbuffalo

Your Honour, I bolster my case

My boy Robertson showing all the haters wrong. Love to see it.

Your Honour, I bolster my case
- Canada Cup

Honest questions

If Keefe/Dubas thought enough about Lillly to start him in games 1 and 2 of the playoffs, would they not want him to play a lot during the regular season to develop?

Is it not very possible that he and Sandin will develop enough this season to pass Holl on the depth chart by playoff time?

My boy Robertson showing all the haters wrong. Love to see it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

He’ll score like crazy on the marlies

Honest questions

If Keefe/Dubas thought enough about Lillly to start him in games 1 and 2 of the playoffs, would they not want him to play a lot during the regular season to develop?

Is it not very possible that he and Sandin will develop enough this season to pass Holl on the depth chart by playoff time?
- jribout

Because he was taken out after game 2 due to his weak defensive play.

Him and Sandin will be the two that get flip flopped in and out of the lineup this season.

Honest questions

If Keefe/Dubas thought enough about Lillly to start him in games 1 and 2 of the playoffs, would they not want him to play a lot during the regular season to develop?

Is it not very possible that he and Sandin will develop enough this season to pass Holl on the depth chart by playoff time?
- jribout

It’s hard to predict given potential injuries and everything but he sure has a lot more upside and could end up getting more ice time at some point.

Honest questions

If Keefe/Dubas thought enough about Lillly to start him in games 1 and 2 of the playoffs, would they not want him to play a lot during the regular season to develop?

Is it not very possible that he and Sandin will develop enough this season to pass Holl on the depth chart by playoff time?
- jribout

They're already ahead of Holl when they're healthy.

But yes, playing them the entire year makes too much sense. If a guy needs to come in, deadline can accomplish that. Regular season doesn't matter overall because the Leafs are gonna make the playoffs no matter what. So see what they can do.

He’ll score like crazy on the marlies
- Dozzer

Crazy unfortunate that he might actually be forced down to the Marlies. He's playing fantastic hockey.

Crazy unfortunate that he might actually be forced down to the Marlies. He's playing fantastic hockey.
- GreatGigInTheSky

If he plays like he has been in the last two games, they have to give him a spot. It’s not just the scoring but it’s his work in the corners, his passing, etc. His extra weight and confidence are noticeable.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they try him on a lower line to see how much flexibility he brings.

Not giving a spot to guy who’s clearly earned it would be a bad move. Putting him on the roster just means that someone who hasn’t earned a spot gets waived. Can you imagine if they say, you’re back to the Marlies and we’re going with Simmonds or Gaudette?

Crazy unfortunate that he might actually be forced down to the Marlies. He's playing fantastic hockey.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Oh I know and I do wish he could make the team. There is part of me that hopes the leafs are willing to give up a guy on waivers to give him a spot…. Will they to start the season? I’m a tad unsure… give those guys up early and then suffer an injury riddled season could be a disaster… whereas holding onto them and making Robertson wait another year would be better in that sort of scenario.

We’ll see.

If he plays like he has been in the last two games, they have to give him a spot. It’s not just the scoring but it’s his work in the corners, his passing, etc. His extra weight and confidence are noticeable.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they try him on a lower line to see how much flexibility he brings.

Not giving a spot to guy who’s clearly earned it would be a bad move. Putting him on the roster just means that someone who hasn’t earned a spot gets waived. Can you imagine if they say, you’re back to the Marlies and we’re going with Simmonds or Gaudette?
- Canada Cup

I don't disagree, but it would mean they absolutely have to trade someone, no? Or just more waivers, like you mentioned?

Realistically its going to come down to the cap and business side of things. It really is going to be about the dollars. As pointed out in the prior blog its Holl, Engvall, and Kerfoot.

Kerfoot has too much value and I doubt they are going to move him at all.

Which leaves Engvall and Holl. You have to figure Benn and Mete depth was done with an eye to moving Holl not because of anything else but money.

Engvall is good, but is he replacable? Much as I like the Giraffe I can see him moved again nothing other than it being about the money.

Dubas likely makes it work moving one if not both.

If he plays like he has been in the last two games, they have to give him a spot. It’s not just the scoring but it’s his work in the corners, his passing, etc. His extra weight and confidence are noticeable.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they try him on a lower line to see how much flexibility he brings.

Not giving a spot to guy who’s clearly earned it would be a bad move. Putting him on the roster just means that someone who hasn’t earned a spot gets waived. Can you imagine if they say, you’re back to the Marlies and we’re going with Simmonds or Gaudette?
- Canada Cup

Yes I can because what a NHL team chooses has more to do than just a skill set

They won’t risk being shallower when it comes to guys who can take on a role due to an injury… which means Robertson will have to prove to be dominant in both Detroit games (where the opposition is actually using pretty much an NHL roster) or he’s the safe one to send back down and only bring up as necessary.

The team’s needs comes first. Not the players.

Oh I know and I do wish he could make the team. There is part of me that hopes the leafs are willing to give up a guy on waivers to give him a spot…. Will they to start the season? I’m a tad unsure… give those guys up early and then suffer an injury riddled season could be a disaster… whereas holding onto them and making Robertson wait another year would be better in that sort of scenario.

We’ll see.
- Dozzer

Roberston to Marlies is the easy move to make, so that makes it the most likely. I just hope it's not the move they do.

I don't disagree, but it would mean they absolutely have to trade someone, no? Or just more waivers, like you mentioned?
- GreatGigInTheSky

Choosing between someone who can is waiver exempt and someone who isn’t doesn’t really affect your cap (except Robertson is likely the cheaper option). It just means you might lose the other guy if he gets picked up.

I haven’t done all the math but I get the impression that the only way they can go into the season without trading anyone is if they go with a short roster. Someone said maybe 10 forwards and 6 D. I don’t know. And that only works until Lilligren comes off LTIR.

I’d rather bite the bullet and make a trade now. I know your preference but I’d suggest maybe Engvall fir a bit more $ and because there are so many comparable forwards to take his spot.

Roberston to Marlies is the easy move to make, so that makes it the most likely. I just hope it's not the move they do.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I’m on board with you here… however if he plays the next two games the same way and gets nearly double the production I don’t care… it’s time to risk someone who needs to clear waivers to keep that kid on line 2.

It’s another reason I like Kerfoot so much. Keep Robertson and flip Kerfoot down to the right side of the 3rd line

When everyone is healthy a 3rd line of

Engvall Kampf Kerfoot

wouldn’t bother me at all.

Choosing between someone who can is waiver exempt and someone who isn’t doesn’t really affect your cap (except Robertson is likely the cheaper option). It just means you might lose the other guy if he gets picked up.

I haven’t done all the math but I get the impression that the only way they can go into the season without trading anyone is if they go with a short roster. Someone said maybe 10 forwards and 6 D. I don’t know. And that only works until Lilligren comes off LTIR.

I’d rather bite the bullet and make a trade now. I know your preference but I’d suggest maybe Engvall fir a bit more $ and because there are so many comparable forwards to take his spot.
- Canada Cup

good thing the Leafs signed him before he filed for his arbitration
now they can move him freely

I’m on board with you here… however if he plays the next two games the same way and gets nearly double the production I don’t care… it’s time to risk someone who needs to clear waivers to keep that kid on line 2.

It’s another reason I like Kerfoot so much. Keep Robertson and flip Kerfoot down to the right side of the 3rd line

When everyone is healthy a 3rd line of

Engvall Kampf Kerfoot

wouldn’t bother me at all.
- Dozzer

Or they put Jarnrok in there instead of one of the wingers. Choose your cap savings.

Or Engvall and Holl for a RD (I get silly when I’m hungry)

I’m on board with you here… however if he plays the next two games the same way and gets nearly double the production I don’t care… it’s time to risk someone who needs to clear waivers to keep that kid on line 2.

It’s another reason I like Kerfoot so much. Keep Robertson and flip Kerfoot down to the right side of the 3rd line

When everyone is healthy a 3rd line of

Engvall Kampf Kerfoot

wouldn’t bother me at all.
- Dozzer

I think they're gonna play him in a top role in the remaining games to see if he can keep it up, for sure. And the Leafs don't play good teams, so I think it's likely he keeps his pace up. So the path to the NHL for him is his to take. I hope he does it.

I've said that I think this season Dubas might do an all out trade, because of the circumstances of his contract. So with that being said, here's my pie in the sky lineup-

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Kane ( )-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Robertson-Kerfoot-Bill Ny
NAK-Kampf-ZAR

Or they put Jarnrok in there instead of one of the wingers. Choose your cap savings.

Or Engvall and Holl for a RD (I get silly when I’m hungry)
- Canada Cup

I could see a guy like Jarnkrok making the 4th line reasonably dangerous as well. Play him along with Kubel & Reese I’d start liking that bottom 6 quite a bit.

Problem is how willing wild the leafs be to put that many guys on waivers to make it happen

I think they're gonna play him in a top role in the remaining games to see if he can keep it up, for sure. And the Leafs don't play good teams, so I think it's likely he keeps his pace up. So the path to the NHL for him is his to take. I hope he does it.

I've said that I think this season Dubas might do an all out trade, because of the circumstances of his contract. So with that being said, here's my pie in the sky lineup-

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Kane ( )-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Robertson-Kerfoot-Bill Ny
NAK-Kampf-ZAR


- GreatGigInTheSky

As nice as it would be the leafs would have to give up something like Sandin, a top prospect and a first to land Kane…. And then pay another team something to afford his contract.

Like I said it would be nice but the last thing the leafs truly need is a smaller player who upgrades their offense but not with physical play.

Roberston to Marlies is the easy move to make, so that makes it the most likely. I just hope it's not the move they do.
- GreatGigInTheSky

It would be a joke if they sent him down. I don't think they will. He's earned a spot to start the season.

Roberston to Marlies is the easy move to make, so that makes it the most likely. I just hope it's not the move they do.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I’m not completely sold on Robertson. I worry that he might be Lonny Bohonos 2.0

It’s one thing for a minor leaguer to go flat out and look good in training camp when the regulars are sort of coasting. It’s quite another to keep up that pace when the season starts.

I hope I’m wrong of course but every time I watch him play I’m reminded of Yakupov.

It would be a joke if they sent him down. I don't think they will. He's earned a spot to start the season.
- fifty__missions

As I’ve said. Getting a role with the NHL club takes more than talent. He won’t be top 6 once JT is back, there’s no cap space and he’s the one who doesn’t need to clear waivers, etc.

It takes a lot more than just a solid preseason…. Even Keefe is only describing him as “good” so far.

Not to mention they might want to see if he can play more than 20 games without getting hurt first. Lose someone else in waivers and then he gets hurt yet again would make it a poor decision by the leafs.