Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson will be clashing against some familiar faces on Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
This will be his first time facing off against the likes of Fraser Minten and Alex Steeves, a sight Robertson admitted was ‘weird’ after getting accustomed to having them as teammates. But while it will take some time getting adjusted to the new reality now that the reunion is on, Robertson did say that both are great guys and wished them the best of luck on their endeavours in Boston.
“First of all, his professionalism,” Robertson said to reporters after the morning skate on what stands out about Minten. “ He’s so young, but his game is a two-way. It’s like he’s been playing already for a couple of years when he was playing [with us]. I had the pleasure of playing with him last year for a little bit. He’s just so easy to play with, so supportive of the puck. Going into tonight’s game, you gotta be mindful of that.”
Between the two, Robertson spent a lot more time alongside Steeves for the better part of four seasons split between the NHL and AHL. While he had plenty of success with the Toronto Marlies, including being the leading scorer last season, Steeves was never quite able to make the permanent jump to the Leafs roster.
It is unclear if Steeves will be factored into the lineup on Saturday or on Tuesday when the two teams reconvene in Boston, but it will be only his 15th career NHL game.
“ He is a great shooter, obviously,” Robertson said. “ Playing in the American League for a little bit when he was here from the time he was here, he did great. He’s a great person as well, got to know him off the ice.”
It’s not just former adversaries that he will be running into this weekend, as Sunday’s tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes is also the Leafs’ annual Hockey Hall of Fame Night. Part of the 2025 Induction Class is former Leaf Joe Thornton, whom Robertson shared the ice for six games during the 2021 COVID-shortened campaign before an injury prematurely ended his year.
“ He’s just a great guy. I mean, he’s a pretty loud guy in the room, and you could hear his voice when you walked in the locker room,” he said. “ He’s a great guy even now. I saw him last year on the mentors trip with Auston [Matthews] bringing him in. He is just very encouraging and a really nice guy.”
Saturday’s clash doesn’t just mark the first time the Leafs are facing off against Fraser Minten, it will also be the first time Brandon Carlo squares off against the Bruins. The two players were the primary pieces swapping places during the trade deadline last year when Toronto was gunning for the Stanley Cup while Boston was retooling.
Robertson said that while it will be weird for Carlo to go up against a team he spent parts of nine seasons with, he knows the defenceman’s focus is on helping his new squad get the victory.
“ I think he’s a pretty vocal guy on the ice,” he said. “ You guys can’t pick that up, but he is always talking on the ice which is huge and helpful, so that’s what I take away. On top of that, away from the ice he’s a great guy. I got to know him well and he’s just a good, charismatic person and happy to have to have him on our side.”
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