TRELIVING EXCITED TO SEE ROBERTSON EARN HIS STRIPES, EASTON COWAN PERFORM WITH ‘THE BIG BOYS’
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is excited to see the internal competition play out at training camp and is expecting growth and development from a number of players, including freshly re-signed Nick Robertson.
Treliving met with the media on Thursday and was asked by TSN’s Mark Masters about the opportunity that awaits Robertson at Leafs’ camp, which opens next week. “Well, it’s not a sell. You know, lots gets made of it. You’d have to ask him, but Nick’s gone through some stuff here. There’s some that’s been injury related, and sometimes with young players their game’s still evolving”, replied Treliving.
“I got a good relationship with Nick. We talked throughout the summer. You know, you explain to him here’s the situation, everybody has to earn their stripes. But I like Nick, he shoots it in the net, but you gotta do other things too and you have to round out your game,” continued Treliving. “You have to be a complete player, but it’s a fresh-clean slate for him. New coach, new opportunity. The last couple of days he’s been here, he’s excited and we’re looking forward to seeing him.”
Robertson signed a one-year, $875,000 contract after it was reported throughout the offseason that he preferred a change of scenery. Treliving touched on the ‘stuff’ Robertson’s had to deal with, which included a shaky relationship with former head coach Sheldon Keefe who never seemed satisfied with Robertson’s attention to details, especially on the defensive-side of the puck. With Craig Berube now behind the bench. the 23-year-old shoot-first winger will look to impress his new coach and showcase a more well-round game throughout training camp and into next season.
Treliving was also asked about what he’s seen from top prospect Easton Cowan throughout the rookie camp and it’s quite obvious Treliving is a big fan of Cowan’s game but wants to ensure the timing is right for him to begin his NHL career. “I don’t know if there’s anything new (from camp). He’s a competitive kid, he’s had a great summer, he’s had a short summer, played late and started early with the Canadian junior team camp. I was down there in Plymouth in early August,” responded Treliving.
“Just competitive, dog-on-a-bone competitive. Really good player but he’s a young player too and you want to make sure you’re putting him in a position to succeed and not rushing the process. But he’s excited to get going this week, he’ll be excited at camp. Like I said, that’s why you go through the exhibition and training camp. We’ll see where he’s at when the big boys show up.”
With Max Pacioretty expected to sign a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs after being invited to training camp on a PTO, there’s no doubt the internal competition up front is going to be one of the major storylines to follow with the regular season around the corner. As Treliving touched on, everyone has to earn their stripes and there won’t be jobs handed out based on merit.
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2024-09-14T16:33:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd