Timothy Liljegren is gone and Maple Leafs critics have found a new player to bully
Photo credit: NHLPA
Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren was a target of the media and fans for years, and now, it seems like Nick Robertson is taking that title.
Overall, Liljegren was a defenseman who never lived up to expectations, and the Leafs eventually took action and traded him to the San Jose Sharks.
Since that time, the media has been looking for a new "whipping boy" of sorts, and the Leafs eventually took action and traded him to the San Jose Sharks.
Despite getting numerous opportunities to play alongside guys like William Nylander and even John Tavares, Robertson has struggled mightily.
In 19 games this season, he has one goal and zero assists. For a guy who begged for a contract in the offseason, this is horrific.
The media has not been kind to Robertson as a result, and the parallels to Liljegren are becoming even more apparent.
Carlo Colaiacovo on Nick Robertson and the Maple Leafs media
On TSN 1050 in Toronto, Carlo Colaiacovo made the Liljegren comparison, noting that the Leafs can only give Robertson so many opportunities before they just give up hope.
Nick Roberson is turning into Timothy Liljegren 2.0, where you're given every opportunity to try to produce at this level and you just never take advantage of it. You're getting your opportunities and this is a time when a team like the Maple Leafs need a guy like Robertson, who has the amount of games and experience under his belt to step up.
If anything, he's sort of meshing right in with the American league guys that have been called up and that's not necessarily a good thing on him. You can only play him in these opportunities so much more.
If anything, he's sort of meshing right in with the American league guys that have been called up and that's not necessarily a good thing on him. You can only play him in these opportunities so much more.
The Maple Leafs are playing well so far this season in spite of the lack of production from Robertson.
For instance, they have won seven of their last nine games and remain in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 13-7-2.
Despite a loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night, the team has an opportunity to bounce back on Saturday against Tampa Bay.
Where or not Robertson can get his groove back, remains to be seen.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 29 | 189 ANSWERS Timothy Liljegren is gone and Maple Leafs critics have found a new player to bully Do you believe Maple Leafs critics are being too harsh on Nick Robertson? | ||
| YES | 86 | 45.5 % |
| NO | 103 | 54.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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