ex-Maple Leafs Nick Robertson Is Finding Something

Toronto Maple Leafs fans have watched Nick Robertson try to find his place in the NHL for several seasons. There were flashes of offence, stretches of frustration and plenty of questions about where he fit in the lineup. Now he's in Pittsburgh, and something seems to be clicking.

Robertson scored twice in the Penguins' 4-0 win over Florida on Thursday, including the opening goal late in the first period. He added an empty-netter to finish the night. It's another encouraging performance for a winger who has already found the net six times early in his first season with Pittsburgh.

Here's the part I find interesting. Robertson hasn't needed a permanent spot on the top line to produce. In fact, he's been moved from the top line to the fourth line, yet he's kept scoring.

Nick Robertson Doesn't Need a Perfect Assignment.

That's worth paying attention to. Many young offensive players get judged by where they play in the lineup. Put them on the top line, and people expect them to produce. Move them down, and people start wondering whether the coaching staff has lost confidence in them.

But perhaps Robertson's situation tells us something a little different. He's a player who can shoot the puck. He has a quick release, he's willing to attack scoring areas, and he doesn't need a dozen opportunities to make something happen. His two goals on two shots against Florida were a pretty good example.

Of course, his shooting percentage is bound to come down. Nobody should expect him to keep scoring on nearly 29 percent of his shots. And he'd probably like to contribute more assists, too. Still, there's something encouraging about a player who doesn't seem to disappear when his assignment changes.

A Fresh Start Can Be About More Than Opportunity.

Maple Leafs fans might remember how often Robertson's name came up in discussions about playing time, lineup decisions and whether Toronto had found the right role for him. It's easy to look back and wonder whether he needed a different environment.

I'm not sure there's a simple answer. Toronto had its own roster needs, and Robertson had to earn his opportunities. That's part of the business. But Pittsburgh may be showing us that a player doesn't always need a top-line job to become productive. Sometimes he needs a coach who can move him around, give him different responsibilities, and still allow him to do what he does best.

Robertson is getting noticed for the goals now. The bigger question is whether he can turn this early success into a consistent NHL role. For a player who spent so much time trying to find that opportunity in Toronto, that's a pretty good development.