Berube: Robertson will play more if he 'keeps doing what he's doing'

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has liked what he's seen out of the much-improved Nick Robertson lately.

"He just keeps doing what he's doing, he's going to get more ice time," the bench boss said Wednesday after practice.

Berube added, "(He's) got great abilities. He's got great speed, we know that, got a real good shot. It's just about getting on the inside more than anything. I think he's done that lately, and he's getting rewarded for it."

Robertson has recorded three goals and four points in the past two games, bringing his season totals up to 11 tallies and 16 points in 50 outings while averaging just 12 minutes of ice time per contest.

Though those numbers might not be what the Maple Leafs expected when Robertson went off for 55 goals for the OHL's Peterborough Petes five seasons ago, the 23-year-old has focused on adapting his game to the NHL level in other ways.

"Maybe in junior, I was just (a goal-scorer)," Robertson said, per Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "But desperate times call for desperate measures. Fight or flight. You want to survive? You want to play in the game? You gotta elevate."

The 5-foot-9 forward has made an effort to be more physical and tenacious, racking up 48 hits on the campaign even with his limited playing time.

This is Berube's first season at the helm of the Maple Leafs, and Robertson gave the hard-nosed coach some credit for helping grow his game.

"Chief has a different style, and I've adapted to it," he said. "And I think it just brings the grittier, harder side of me. I think it's brought something in me that I didn't know I had."

He added, "I think I'm better than I was last year, just being more well-rounded and kind of playing ... not like a rat. But hard. Like, being in the face. Not a checker but getting more touches on guys."

Robertson's future with the Maple Leafs was in doubt before the start of the campaign. He reportedly requested a trade in the offseason, but Toronto ended up signing him to a one-year, $875,000 deal as a restricted free agent in September.

Despite putting pen to paper, there was some belief that Robertson was still going to be moved. He can become an RFA again after the season, and he'll likely hear his name in the rumor mill with just eight days remaining until the March 7 trade deadline.

However, Robertson doesn't seem worried about the outside noise.

"I want to be here, so I'm fine," he said. "Yeah, I don't think about that stuff."

Robertson and the Maple Leafs will take on the New York Rangers at 7 p.m. ET Friday.