Jan 21: The Maple Leafs have now moved Robertson to long-term injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least ten games and 24 days.
Jan 18: Though Toronto Maple Leafs head coach classified it as good news, Nick Roberston still won’t be making his return to the lineup for the next while. The rookie forward is expected to be out four weeks with a knee injury he sustained on Saturday night, Sheldon Keefe told reporters including Kristen Shilton of TSN today.
Robertson, 19, was making his regular season (but not NHL) debut but managed just over two minutes of ice time before colliding with Drake Batherson and injuring his knee. The second-round pick is arguably Toronto’s top prospect and had worked his way onto the squad while the OHL stays in limbo. Undersized but insatiable, Robertson scored 55 goals in just 46 games for the Peterborough Petes last season and made his Maple Leafs debut in the postseason bubble.
In his place, it appears as though the Maple Leafs will be going with seven defensemen tonight, allowing Mikko Lehtonen to make his NHL debut. The former KHL Defenseman of the Year has plenty of offensive upside but is still getting used to playing on the smaller rink. The Maple Leafs take on the Winnipeg Jets this evening.
I think you will see more teams rotate between 6 and 7 defenseman lineups this year. Trying to keep guys slightly fresher with the condensed schedule.