Nick Robertson planned to enjoy a view from the top on Saturday night.
With five consecutive goals in three games to wrap his exhibition season, the Maple Leafs winger was excused from the finale against Detroit and will get to watch from the Scotiabank Arena press box as he preps for the season opener Wednesday in Montreal. It’s security Robertson never had as a fringe NHLer, whose future in Toronto was in doubt when he requested a trade during the summer.
He eventually signed a one-year deal and got down to business.
“Getting these games in, I’m not even looking at the past,” he said after the morning skate. “I was relaxed. I’ve learned the best for me is being calm, so you can anticipate better. You conserve energy.
“I’m a hard-working person, I think I’ve found the balance when to turn it on and off. It’s my job to carry that into the season.”
Robertson’s parents are flying in from California next week for his first ever opener. He also credited new coach Craig Berube for creating a demanding environment. When Berube was asked who stood out for him most at this camp as a player he didn’t previously know, he led off with Robertson.
“I knew he was skilled, fast and could shoot,” Berube said. “What surprised me so far is his work ethic and his competitiveness. That’s what’s going to make him a really good player in this league. His shooting will take over, but it’s winning the battles.”
LORENTZ: BAT-TER UP
Winger Steven Lorentz has heard the story of his distant cousin, Jim Lorentz , whacking a low-flying bat out of mid-air almost 50 years ago in the Stanley Cup final. Jim’s Buffalo Sabres were at home against Philadelphia on a humid spring night with fog developing at old Memorial Auditorium when the winged creature of the night fatefully swooped into the faceoff circle before a draw.
Lorentz became known as Batman, though his actions did rile up animal rights activists.
“I know about it from reading books and Wikipedia,” Steven said. “I was told to look up my own page because it said (erroneously) that he’s my grandpa. But I saw that and did some further research. It’s kind of funny. I guess he was trying to keep the game going.”
Steven had not heard about the strange coincidence eight years later at Exhibition Stadium when Jim attended a Blue Jays-Yankees game as a fan. It was the night that New York’s Dave Winfield killed a seagull with a baseball and wound up getting briefly arrested for animal cruelty.
PACIORETTY ON PACE
Max Pacioretty has more than 900 games of NHL experience, but was taking nothing for granted into his fourth exhibition game on Saturday. On the other side is the anticipated one-year contract offer and a return to Montreal as a Leaf, a story that writes itself as he’s a former Habs captain.
“Not bad, but I definitely have a lot to improve on,” the 35-year-old left winger said. “Little areas, like holding on to pucks. That’s when I’m at my best, grinding defencemen down, using my body.”
Pacioretty should get a lot of touches this season, whether he eventually plays with John Tavares, Saturday night’s projected centre, Pontus Holmberg, or any one of the potent forwards at 5-on-5 or on the power play.
“No secret that my shot has always been my best asset, but as you get older you have to evolve and find other ways to score,” he said. “That’s what so impressive about (Auston Matthews). He scores every which way, shooting or deflecting or dirty goals.
“I have to round out my game a bit.”
LOOSE LEAFS
Former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe is now 2-0 behind the Devils bench, sweeping the Sabres in both games of their regular season series in Prague … When Berube meant to mention Max Domi on Saturday morning, he referenced him as Tie, the forward’s famous father and the Leafs’ career penalty-minute leader. “I’ve called Max that a few times,” Berube admitted. “Tie is in my head a lot. I’m sure (Max) has seen (their battles) on tape” … Saturday was the first home game morning skate the Leafs have held at Scotiabank Arena as renovations are being carried out at the 100 Level and dressing room tunnels through the regular season. General manager Brad Treliving gave himself a tour, including the visitors dressing room as the Wings weren’t flying in until later Saturday.
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