The club recalled the 22-year-old forward from the AHL's Toronto Marlies, loaning Pontus Holmberg to the farm team in a corresponding move.
"I would say I'm really confident now," Robertson said following Monday's morning skate, according to the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. "I got my reps (with the Marlies). Last year, I played a couple games and played up here and was trying to find my confidence that way. I'm going in here with a lot of confidence, a lot more touches than last year."
Robertson hasn't yet played a game with the NHL club this season, but he racked up five goals and a team-leading six assists in nine contests with the Marlies. His 11 points also lead the AHL squad.
The Leafs' former top prospect has dealt with numerous injuries in recent years and was limited to only 15 NHL games last season. He's played only 31 contests at the highest level in the last three campaigns due to his various ailments.
The Maple Leafs have lost four straight games, including a 6-4 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres on home ice Saturday. They entered Monday sitting fourth in the Atlantic Division with 12 points and a 5-4-2 record but fifth in terms of points percentage (.545).
Toronto will play its next four games at home, beginning with a rematch of the first round of last season's playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night.
We only have four games on the docket Monday night, and yet many of the league's brightest stars are in action.
Let's take a closer look at a few worth backing.
Auston Matthews over 4.5 shots
Matthews is firing on all cylinders at home. He's averaging 5.8 shots on goal - and 9.2 shot attempts - when playing in Toronto. He's performed drastically worse on the road, generating an average of 3.7 shots on 6.2 attempts.
He has three hat tricks through just five games at home, which is remarkable.
I expect him to build on his success against the Lightning. They've given up a lot of shot volume in the early going of this season, ranking 27th in five-on-five shots on goal against per 60 minutes.
Volume shooters like Matthews are in prime positions to exploit the Lightning, and we've already seen that. Matthews attempted 11 shots when he faced the Bolts earlier in the year, and that was on the road.
With more advantageous matchups on home ice, Matthews should be able to pile up the shots.
Odds: +110 (playable to -125)
Roope Hintz over 2.5 shots
Hintz is off to a very strong shooting start. He's recorded at least three shots on goal in six of nine appearances thus far. Despite missing a game, nobody on the Stars has tallied more shots on goal than Hintz.
Centers are generating steady volume against the Bruins. Considering what we've seen out of Hintz, there's no reason to expect any different from him tonight.
Hintz will play a lot of minutes in what should be a very competitive game between two of the best teams in the league. Expect him to pick up a few shots along the way.
Odds: -110 (playable to -120)
Connor McDavid over 3.5 shots
Things couldn't be going much worse for the Oilers. They have two wins through 10 games and sit only ahead of a historically bad Sharks team in the standings.
Although McDavid isn't exactly to blame for their poor start, it's fair to say he hasn't been at his usual level of dominance.
He's recorded two goals and 10 points thus far while generating shots and chances at a lesser rate than we've grown accustomed to seeing. Again, McDavid isn't responsible for the Oilers' issues. But everyone knows he can mask a lot of them by taking things up a notch.
I expect that's what we'll see against the Canucks. McDavid's had their number of late, amassing 10 points and 26 shots on goal in the past five games against them. Those are the kind of outputs the Oilers need from McDavid to get back on track.
He's played only two games over the past eight days, giving his injury some time to heal. That should help.
So should his linemates. McDavid is playing on a loaded top line alongside Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman, both of whom help boost McDavid's efficiency in terms of upping shot outputs. Win or lose, I expect McDavid to be firing in this one.
Odds: -110 (playable to -130)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.
The Carolina Hurricanes signed veteran goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a professional tryout, the team announced Monday.
Halak, 38, played 25 games with the New York Rangers a season ago, posting a .903 save percentage and a 2.72 goals against average as Igor Shesterkin's backup.
The team also announced that Frederik Andersen is dealing with a medical issue and is undergoing further evaluation.
Andersen missed two contests in October after taking a shot off the mask against the San Jose Sharks. The 34-year-old sports an .894 save percentage and a 4-1-0 record through six appearances this season.
The Hurricanes have Antti Raanta available on the NHL roster, as well as Pyotr Kochetkov as an option in the minors. Kochetkov is on loan to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch.
Both netminders have struggled in the early going. Raanta has an .870 save percentage in five games, while Kochetkov has an .836 save percentage in three contests.
The Hurricanes face the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.
This is the second in-season edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2023-24 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday.
In this edition, we look at the biggest cause for concern for each team thus far in the early part of the season.
1. Vegas Golden Knights (11-1-1)
Previous rank: 1
Health on defense. The Golden Knights have played a lot of hockey over the past year, and it's starting to show on the backend. Alex Pietrangelo, Nicolas Hague, and Zach Whitecloud have all missed time in the early going. On the ice, there's not much to be worried about in Vegas.
2. Boston Bruins (9-1-1)
Previous rank: 4
Another first-round exit. Its most recent regulation loss aside, Boston is off to an astounding start for the second season in a row. However, the 2022-23 Bruins had their dreams of a fairytale ending dashed by the Florida Panthers in the postseason. Beantown will be hoping for a better fate this spring.
3. Dallas Stars (7-2-1)
Previous rank: 3
Jason Robertson's scoring touch. The Stars are absolutely rolling early on, but their strongest offensive threat has only managed two goals through 10 games after back-to-back 40-goal campaigns. His shots per game are also down to 2.5 from 3.8 last season.
4. New York Rangers (8-2-1)
Previous rank: 8
Adam Fox's health. The Rangers, who currently sit atop the Metropolitan Division, are a fantastic team with incredible talent at all three position groups. Keeping that No. 1 spot will be difficult, though, with top rearguard Fox expected to miss a few weeks with a lower-body injury.
5. Los Angeles Kings (7-2-2)
Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 14
Their home record. This is nitpicking from a near-perfect start from the new-look Kings, but it's odd that Los Angeles is 1-2-2 on home ice this season.
6. Vancouver Canucks (8-2-1)
Previous rank: 12
When does the luck run out? The Canucks lead the NHL in five-on-five shooting percentage and are second in save percentage. That combines for a sky-high 108.7 PDO that'll come back down to earth before long.
7. Colorado Avalanche (7-3-0)
Previous rank: 2
Gabriel Landeskog's future. The Avalanche expressed cautious optimism that their captain might be ready for the 2024 playoffs, but general manager Chris MacFarland recently told ESPN's Emily Kaplan that the team is prioritizing Landeskog's long-term outlook. After undergoing a knee cartilage transplant, a setback could be detrimental to Landeskog's career.
8. New Jersey Devils (7-3-1)
Previous rank: 7
Life without Jack Hughes. Hughes has been must-see television with 20 points in only 10 games. After a scary fall into the boards Friday, the superstar will be shelved week-to-week. New Jersey's up-tempo brand of hockey may be difficult to maintain with one of the sport's most electrifying players missing.
9. Carolina Hurricanes (7-5-0)
Previous rank: 6
The trio of goaltenders. The Hurricanes looked set in the net coming into the season. Surely one of Frederik Andersen, Antti Raanta, or Pyotr Kochetkov would take the reigns and have a big season, right? Carolina's survived despite all three having sub-.900 save percentages in the early going but will need one to break through sometime soon.
10. Detroit Red Wings (7-4-1)
Mike Carlson / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 5
Ville Husso. He's being paid $4.75 million to be Detroit's starter but has been outplayed considerably by veteran backup James Reimer so far this season. In eight appearances, Husso owns a .896 save percentage and 3.37 goals against average.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning (5-3-3)
Previous rank: 13
Victor Hedman's defense. For the Lightning, the hope was that Hedman's rough defensive results a season ago were a single-year aberration. That doesn't appear to be the case in the early going. After -8.0 expected even-strength defensive goals above replacement last season, Hedman's -1.5 xEVD GAR puts him on pace for a career-low -11.2 in the statistic.
12. New York Islanders (5-2-3)
Previous rank: 10
Anders Lee. The Isles captain is logging top-line minutes but has only mustered a single goal and assist through 10 games. New York better hope it's not a sign of what's to come for the 33-year-old, who's signed through 2026 at $7 million per season.
13. Winnipeg Jets (5-4-2)
Previous rank: 23
Special teams. The Jets have looked good at five-on-five through 11 games but have major problems elsewhere. They own a paltry 14.3% power-play conversion rate (22nd) while operating at 69.2% on the penalty kill (29th).
14. Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4-2)
Previous rank: 9
Brad Treliving's newest additions. Boy, none of the new Maple Leafs GM's offseason moves have panned out. Tyler Bertuzzi has been demoted to the fourth line at times, Max Domi has yet to score a goal, John Klingberg has already drawn the ire of the fanbase, and aside from a few fights, Ryan Reaves isn't doing much of anything.
15. Florida Panthers (5-4-1)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 17
Sam Bennett's absence. The Panthers have gotten a mere 7:54 of ice time from the versatile pivot after he was injured in his delayed season debut. Bennett fills a huge role down the middle of the ice for Florida and is a key piece of the identity the club forged last postseason.
16. Buffalo Sabres (6-6-0)
Previous rank: 21
Devon Levi may not be ready. The hype around Levi was huge coming into the season, as the Sabres' playoff hopes rested on his shoulders. He's allowed four goals in three out of five starts and has just one game in which he's posted a save percentage above .900. The future is remarkably bright for the 21-year-old, but it may finally be too much, too soon for Levi.
17. Minnesota Wild (4-5-2)
Previous rank: 16
Was Filip Gustavsson a flash in the pan? Few goaltenders were as impressive as Gustavsson last season, who broke out with a .931 save percentage with the Wild. That hasn't translated early on this campaign. Gustavsson's .871 save percentage is last among the 25 netminders with at least seven games.
18. Pittsburgh Penguins (4-6-0)
Previous rank: 19
Tristan Jarry. New GM Kyle Dubas took a chance on the goaltender by signing him to a five-year, $26.875-million extension in the offseason, but it's not looking like a great bet right now. Jarry is 3-5-0 on the season with a .897 save percentage, and he's allowed minus-1.79 goals above average at all strengths.
19. Anaheim Ducks (7-4-0)
Previous rank: 31
No takers for John Gibson. The Ducks have exceeded all expectations so far this campaign, and rookie netminder Lukas Dostal is a massive part of that success. Gibson's future in Anaheim has long been called into question, but what if his hefty contract - four more years with a $6.4-million cap hit - proves too difficult for the Ducks to move?
20. St. Louis Blues (5-4-1)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 22
That power play. The Blues have been abysmal on the man advantage, boasting a league-worst success rate of 3.7% across a league-low 27 opportunities. St. Louis has just one power-play goal to its name (scored by Pavel Buchnevich on Oct. 24), and it's also allowed one shorthanded tally.
21. Philadelphia Flyers (5-6-1)
Previous rank: 20
Too good for a top pick, not good enough for the playoffs? The returns ofSean Couturier and Cam Atkinson have made the Flyers a more formidable team this season. For a Philadelphia squad in the early stages of a proper rebuild, it may put them in the dreaded no man's land of the league standings.
22. Nashville Predators (5-6-0)
Previous rank: 24
Five-on-five goals. The Predators are creating quality looks, as evidenced by their 56.57% expected goals rate, but Nashville is struggling to convert. The team ranks 26th league-wide in goals per 60.
23. Arizona Coyotes (5-5-1)
Previous rank: 25
Barrett Hayton's production. The 23-year-old seemed poised for a big campaign after registering 43 points in his first full season, but he's been held off the scoresheet entirely in 2023-24 despite anchoring Arizona's top line and holding a spot on the first power-play unit.
24. Montreal Canadiens (5-4-2)
Previous rank: 28
The injury bug is back. Man, the Canadiens were decimated by injuries last season, and it doesn't seem like 2023-24 is bringing much relief. Kirby Dach has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, and David Savard isn't expected back until December. That's tough on a young, rebuilding squad.
25. Edmonton Oilers (2-7-1)
Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 15
What if the Oilers can't recover? Edmonton hasn't looked like a Stanley Cup contender at all this season. Yes, it's early, but we're almost a month into the campaign now. It's very likely that the Oilers will pull themselves out of this horrendous funk, but what if it's too late by the time they do?
26. Ottawa Senators (4-6-0)
Previous rank: 11
The outside noise is too much to overcome. The beginning of the Senators' campaign feels like a soap opera. First, Shane Pinto was suspended 41 games. Then, Ottawa was docked a first-round pick for its role in the botched Evgenii Dadonov trade. Next, GM Pierre Dorion resigned and new owner Michael Andlauer held a fiery press conference about it. That's not a great environment for on-ice success.
27. Seattle Kraken (4-6-2)
Previous rank: 27
Matty Beniers' production. The reigning Calder Trophy winner has racked up just four assists through the Kraken's first 12 games of the campaign, and he's also a team-worst minus-13. Seattle is going to need its No. 1 center to return to last season's form in order to climb the Pacific Division standings.
28. Washington Capitals (5-4-1)
Previous rank: 29
Nicklas Backstrom might be done. Backstrom's announcement Wednesday that he's stepping away from the team to address injury issues was a gut punch to a struggling Capitals team. After major hip surgery and a rough start this season, it looks increasingly likely that Backstrom could be done for good.
29. Calgary Flames (3-7-1)
Previous rank: 18
What if Jonathan Huberdeau is just like this now? With six points through his first 11 games, the 2023-24 version of Huberdeau is looking a lot like the one that underwhelmed during his first season with the Flames. Prior to Game 1, Huberdeau said Flames fans haven't seen the real him yet. For Calgary's sake, we hope that's still true.
30. Chicago Blackhawks (4-7-0)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 30
Taylor Hall's shoulder. The Blackhawks' sole goal this season was to insulate Connor Bedard as best as possible to help him become a superstar. Hall seemed like a perfect fit alongside the top pick, but a shoulder injury has twice forced him out of Chicago's lineup.
31. Columbus Blue Jackets (4-5-2)
Previous rank: 26
Johnny Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets' highest-paid player got himself benched during the team's loss to the Capitals on Saturday. He's got just one goal - an empty-netter - and five points in 11 games this season. Columbus will need a lot more out of its $68.25-million man moving forward.
32. San Jose Sharks (0-10-1)
Previous rank: 32
What if the Sharks surrender 10 goals again? In our last edition of these rankings, we worried that San Jose may never win a game this season. That holds true, but what if the Sharks give up 10 tallies for the third game in a row Tuesday against the Flyers? A ghastly thought.
Warning: Article contains details about sexual assault
A second Chicago Blackhawks player and former teammate of Kyle Beach has filed a negligence lawsuit against the team regarding an alleged sexual assault during the 2009-10 season by then-video coach Brad Aldrich, according to the Chicago Tribune's Phil Thompson.
The lawsuit, filed by law firm Romanucci & Blandin, claims Aldrich "groomed, harassed, threatened, and assaulted" the player, listed as "John Doe," and that the Blackhawks covered up his complaint during their pursuit of the 2010 Stanley Cup championship.
Like Beach, Doe was a Black Ace - a player from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs who practiced with the Blackhawks during the playoffs - at the time. In May 2021, Beach sued the organization, saying Aldrich sexually assaulted him and a teammate in 2010. Beach and the Blackhawks reached a confidential settlement in December 2021.
Law firm Jenner & Block investigated the Blackhawks' mishandling of Beach's allegations in October 2021. Their report mentioned a player by the name of "Black Ace 1," and Romanucci & Blandin confirmed to the Chicago Tribune that Doe is Black Ace 1.
The Blackhawks issued a statement about the new lawsuit, via the Tribune:
The Chicago Blackhawks take allegations of workplace misconduct and organizational response very seriously, and it's why, over two years ago, we commissioned an extensive independent investigation into the troubling events that occurred in 2010. We've changed as a result of what happened and implemented numerous positive improvements throughout our organization to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our players and employees.
Until we learn more about this pending litigation, we will refrain from commenting with any additional specifics.
In the Jenner & Block report, Black Ace 1 said in an interview that Aldrich said he "could bury" players in the Blackhawks organization and make sure they "could never play" by saying "not nice things" about them.
In the Romanucci & Blandin lawsuit, Doe says Aldrich's "behavior became overtly and aggressively sexual" towards him, and that Aldrich sent Doe harassing text messages and offered to pay Doe to receive sexual favors from a masseuse while Aldrich watched, per the Tribune.
The lawsuit also alleges that Aldrich approached Doe on several occasions from behind and "ground his penis against Doe's back and buttocks through his clothes."
Romanucci & Blandin will hold a press conference Monday at 11 a.m. ET to further address the lawsuit.
In the wake of the Jenner & Block findings, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman stepped down, while vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac left the organization. Additionally, Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville resigned. All three held positions with the Blackhawks in 2010.
Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane has been suspended one game for cross-checking Jared McCann's head into the ice during Saturday's contest against the Seattle Kraken, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.
Mangiapane was given a match penalty for attempt to injure during the first period. McCann briefly left the game but was able to return.
Andrew Mangiapane is assessed a match penalty for attempt to injure on Jared McCann and has been thrown out of the game. pic.twitter.com/KbnLdRyEbZ
"We acknowledge that this is not a case in which a player uses the full extension of his arms or his body weight to strike an opponent or intentionally drive him violently into the ice," the league said in an explainer.
"However, Mangiapane is in control throughout this sequence and makes the decision to deliver a reckless cross-check to a player lying vulnerable on the ice."
Mangiapane will miss Tuesday's tilt against the Nashville Predators and is eligible to return Friday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old ranks second on Calgary in scoring this season with seven points in 11 games.
New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes is considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury, the team announced Sunday.
Hughes suffered the ailment during the Devils' 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday. He crashed into the boards after a scoring chance midway through the first period and initially didn't miss a shift, but he was ultimately unable to return to the contest.
Despite Hughes' absence, head coach Lindy Ruff said the news was positive for the Devils.
"I actually think we are fortunate; he came back, tried a shift," Ruff said Sunday, per team beat reporter Amanda Stein. "You know, we got him on his way home to be taken care of by athlete care people back in Jersey. I think we're fortunate, actually."
The 22-year-old center is currently tied with Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson for the NHL's scoring lead with 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 10 games.
The Devils have also been without Nico Hischier for the past three games. The captain has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since taking a hit to the head from Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton on Oct. 27.
"It's tough to replace what went out (in Hischier and Hughes), but it's a big opportunity for guys who are stepping in," Ruff said.
The Devils will take on the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday for their first game without Hughes. New Jersey sits in third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 6-3-1 record.
Forward Kent Johnson has no hard feelings after the Columbus Blue Jackets demoted their young prospect to the AHL's Cleveland Monsters on Friday.
"I think (the Blue Jackets) did a good job communicating," Johnson told The Hockey Writers' Mark Scheig following the Monsters' win Saturday. "I know I'm an important part of this franchise, and I'm gonna keep working."
The Blue Jackets sent Johnson to the minors after he tallied one goal and three points in eight games and sat as a healthy scratch for a pair of contests this season. Johnson recorded 16 goals and 40 points as a rookie last campaign.
The 2021 fifth overall pick called the demotion "difficult" and said his familiarity with players on the Monsters has made his transition to the minors smoother, per Scheig.
"I got a lot of buddies on the team. I know 'em all from camp. They're really good guys," Johnson told reporters, including AHL News Now's Deana Weinheimer. "Right when I got back to the room, it was fun catching up with them. It's a great group."
He added: "If I wasn't so tight with these guys, it would suck. So it's definitely really helpful."
Johnson has three assists through two contests with Cleveland. The British Columbia native hadn't played an AHL game prior to being sent down this week.
"I really believe in myself," Johnson said. "I think I'll be fine."
