I jumped the gun a little bit in last week’s edition of the Prospect Roundup, penciling Nick Robertson into a roster spot with the Leafs after his stellar preseason. The assumption was that John Tavares would have to miss a few games, forcing the Leafs to play a forward short in their opener before using an emergency recall on Robertson. Tavares, however, was cleared to return ahead of the season opener, and Robertson was with the Marlies to begin the season.
Now it appears another injury has cleared the way for Robertson to join the Leafs, with netminder Matt Murray placed on long-term injured reserve. While it is obviously a nightmare start to Murray’s Leafs tenure, there is a silver lining for the club. With Murray on LTIR, the Leafs have the flexibility to carry a 23-man roster, which now includes Robertson after he was recalled along with Wayne Simmonds and Victor Mete on Sunday.
After being relegated to the Marlies due to the Leafs’ cap crunch and the fact that he was exempt from waivers, Robertson appears primed to receive the opportunity he earned with his fantastic showing in the preseason.

Sheldon Keefe on Nick Robertson: “Nick deserved to make our team with the effort and performance that he had through camp, and the growth that he showed.”
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Author: Nick Richard / The Leafs Nation