Maple Leafs Klingberg Moving to Robidas Island? Where Is That?

With the Maple Leafs, the term became associated with players being placed on injured reserve as a strategic move to ensure they didn’t jeopardize the team’s tanking strategy by pushing hard for regular-season comeback wins. The concept was named after defenseman Stephane Robidas, who was placed on injured reserve, allowing him to stay away from the team and retire after the season.

Robidas Island Is a Fictional Concept

Robidas Island is a fictional concept that originated from a maneuver by former General Manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello when he placed defenseman Robidas on injured reserve. As noted, the move allowed Robidas to stay away from the team and retire after the season.

Other than Robidas, the Maple Leafs defenseman after whom the term was coined, additional players who took up residence on the fictional island included James Van Riemsdyk, who was sent there during the team’s rebuilding phase. Joffrey Lupul (against his will it seems from reading) became associated with the island and eventually retired.

Alex Stalock was moved to the metaphorical island when he no longer was a part of the team’s plans. Finally, Jared Cowen another “surplus” player was moved there as well. Except for the players who were moved there (because they were seen as “surplus” or in other words “useless” to the team), the concept was humorous.

Robidas Island Has Become an Annual Maple Leafs Joke (Sort of)

In the seasons since Lamoriello first utilized the concept, Robidas Island has seen an influx of Maple Leafs players. At first, it was so the players wouldn’t be able to string a few good games together as a way to win – which would disrupt the team’s plans for a high draft choice (think Auston Matthews).

Different now from its first inception, it’s currently used as a way for the Maple Leafs to recover salary-sap space. If, specifically, Klingberg hits the LTIR (or Robidas Island), his $4.15 million will be used for replacement players.

Robidas Island has become a (SORT OF) Maple Leafs community joke. But, significantly, players went and rarely returned once they landed there. Once a solid Maple Leafs winger, Joffrey Lupul seemingly became a permanent citizen on the island after being deemed surplus. In reading about his story, it was a hurtful thing that still doesn’t sit well with him.

The point is that Robidas Island isn’t a joke to everyone. Some players are still smarting from the move and what it implied.