The Gazette Player of the Week is a Maple Leafs player whose performance warrants appreciation. Players will rotate every weekend. A running count will be kept of the players with the most Gazette awards at the end of the season.

The first Gazette Player of the Week is a bit of a test run, as it’s only preseason. However, the games aren’t meaningless, as many players give their all trying to make the NHL roster. Thousands of fans come out, cheering on their team, hoping to go home after enjoying a win. With that in mind, the first Gazette Player of the Week is Nick Robertson.

Huge disclaimer: the play in which William Nylander was injured was one of the silliest, most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen, and it was all Robertson’s fault. But as of now, this publication has forgiven him.

Robertson has been Toronto’s most consistent offensive threat so far this preseason. He’s appeared in 3 of the Maple Leafs 4 games so far, scoring 3 goals, including both Toronto goals in a recent 2-1 victory over Montreal. He’s looked engaged and energized, and seems likely to crack the opening day lineup next Wednesday against those same Canadiens.