The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that Nick Robertson is out for the season with a shoulder injury. News of the injury was announced on Monday afternoon.
Injury updates:
Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson had season-ending shoulder surgery and will be out for six months.
Toronto Marlies defenceman Mac Hollowell underwent surgery for a fractured kneecap and will be out a minimum of 12 weeks.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 16, 2023
Nick Robertson, Hollowell Out
The surgery on Robertson deprives the Leafs of a young player who has really been adding to their forward corps. Fans have been waiting for Robertson to fulfill his potential for a couple of seasons, and it looked like he was finally breaking through. His injury in early December against the Los Angeles Kings wasn’t thought to be too harmful at the moment. But as time dragged on, fears that his year was over emerged. It’s not Robertson’s first long-term injury, but at least it’s in a different location.
In his 15 games so far this season, the 21-year-old has two goals and five points. That’s not normally the stat line of someone vital to a team’s success. However, Robertson’s time was often with John Tavares and either Mitch Marner or William Nylander. Not the usual linemates for someone thought of as a “fourth liner”. Since being drafted in the second round of 2019 – making his debut in the 2020 playoffs – he’s put in great work in the AHL. On a team that is as loaded up front as Toronto, he has made a great impression. Being on an entry-level contract doesn’t hurt, either.
Mac Hollowell has played six games with the Maple Leafs, all this season. The small defenceman helped fill the right side and is an able puck-mover, but his absence doesn’t affect the NHL team just yet.
What Happens Now
Nick Robertson hasn’t been on the team for a while, so there won’t be any changes to the lineup. Any hope that he would be back for the playoffs, however, is dashed. It’s not the message fans, the team, or Robertson himself wanted to hear, but no one’s getting taken by surprise. One question is if the Leafs will now look for extra help in their bottom six in anticipation of a playoff run. It’s nice that Bobby McMann is available, but if they can add another cheap NHL-level veteran, they will.
