I’ve been quick to express my concerns about the Penguins’ summer thus far. A few of POHO/GM Kyle Dubas’ moves, most notably signing the one-dimensional and well-traveled Andrei Kuzmenko have left me wanting more. Or less, as in the case of dealing solid portside defenseman Parker Wotherspoon.
I confess, part of the reason for my pessimism? I loved last season’s team. I loved its spirit and character, its overall balance, its near optimal blend of skill and aggression. I just don’t get the same vibes with the most recent overhaul.
However, there is a move that I’m happy, no make that ecstatic, about. Ergo, Dubas’ pilfering of forward Nick Robertson from Toronto for a fourth-round pick. A special thank you to Leafs GM, John Chayka, for his complicity.
A little background.
Robertson is a 24-year-old left wing and a former second-round pick (53rd overall) of Dubas’ when he was with the Leafs. In stark contrast to big brother, Jason, who goes 6’3” 204, Nick’s a comparative mighty mite at 5’9” 180.
Following his draft year, Nick went off like a Fourth of July fireworks display for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL, erupting for a staggering 55 goals and 86 points in only 46 games during the Covid-shortened 2019-2020 season.
His extraordinary sniping led to a promotion to the Leafs for the August 2020 playoff bubble. The then 18-year-old didn’t disappoint, popping a goal in only his third pro game.
From there, Robertson began his steady climb up the pro ladder. After quickly proving too good for the AHL, he shook off a spate of early injuries and gradually carved out a spot with the Leafs, albeit in less-than-ideal roles that led to several trade requests. Still, he notched 14, 15 and 16 goals over the past three seasons while averaging roughly 20 goals over a full-82 game slate.
Over that span, he’s 29th in the NHL among players who’ve skated in at least 60 games with 1.09 5v5 goals/60 minutes. That’s a hair less than brother Jason (1.10) and well above Sidney Crosby’s mark (0.94).
In case you’re interested, Anthony Mantha is second in the league at 1.36 goals/60 and Egor Chinakhov sixth at 1.25 goals/60.
Needless to say, Nick can flat-out rip the biscuit. Not unlike Chinakhov, another player who needed a change of scenery thrive.
In terms of playing style, Robertson’s a non-stop scrambler who’s always on or hounding the puck in the offensive zone. Despite his modest size, he’s fearless when it comes to dishing out and receiving hits, and he’s developed a bit of an edge as well.
In other words, a buzz-saw.
His one glaring weakness? Apparently he expends so much energy in the offensive zone, he has little gas left to devote to his defensive chores. Even so, with the notable exception of ’25-26, his 5v5 goals for percentages have generally been on the sunny side of 50, with a high of 55.36 in ’23-24.
Contract-wise, he’s an RFA who’ll need to be re-signed. His most recent AAV, a fairly modest $1.825 million.
I’ll let Leafs insider and media personality, Steve Dangle, sum up.
“I wish the success that he’s going to have in Pittsburgh, because you know he’s going to have it, I wish he had it here… Pittsburgh Penguins fans, you’re going to get a player who never takes a night off. His skating has improved, he’s tenacious, and he’s got one helluva shot.”
Sounds like a ringing endorsement to me.
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Robertson's career 5-on-5 GF% is a little south of the 50% mark Rick, 49.5% - this despite a rather positive tilted O-Zone/D-Zone Start%, (60.6%). More importantly, Robertson seems to squander his O-Zone Starts; his O-Zone/D-Zone Face-Off% drops to 53.6% - suggesting O-Zone starts that end up in the D-Zone for Face-offs rather quickly. A poor Offensive Zone time rap would seem to be supported by a CORSI of 47.9%, a Fenwick of 49.2%, and a SF% of 49.6%. All of this suggests a rather weak defensive player on a team who is posturing about running with a Goalie that control rebounds with a defense that over-achieved last season but has been weakened rather than strengthen thus far this Off-Season.. None of this sounds good to me,