What do the Toronto Maple Leafs Have in Nick Robertson?

The off-season is finally wrapping up and there isn’t really any recent Toronto Maple Leafs news.

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a blockbuster trade that saw them pick up Tyson Barrie and Alex Kerfoot in a deal that sent Nazem Kadri to Colorado, but aside from that there hasn’t been a lot to talk about.

Of course, this is excluding the never-ending Mitch Marner negotiations which I’m sure nobody wants to hear about unless it’s a report saying he’s signed a contract.

With that being said, my strengths when it comes to writing about hockey lie with prospects, so that’s what I’m going to talk about today. I’d like to give you all a little bit more insight on one of the Maple Leafs’ top prospects in Nick Robertson and what we can expect from him down the line.

NHL Entry Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t have a first round pick this year, sending it to the Los Angeles Kings along with prospects Sean Durzi and Carl Grundstrom in a deal to acquire defenseman Jake Muzzin this past February. Their first pick came in the second round at 53rd overall, and they used it to select a small left winger from the Peterborough Petes. This of course was Robertson.

Robertson finished his season as one of the youngest draft-eligible players, as he’s 17 years old and doesn’t turn 18 for another week.

He’s spent his two OHL seasons playing for the Peterborough Petes and just wrapped up an impressive campaign with 27 goals and 55 points over 54 games.

He isn’t the biggest guy on the ice, standing at 5’9 and 160lbs, but rest assured he plays much bigger than his size. He’s absolutely relentless on the forecheck and doesn’t take a single shift off. He’s not afraid of contact and he’s also a bit of a trash talker. This already looks appealing enough, but on top of that he has a great wrist shot and he’s a quick, smooth skater as well.

Robertson will assume a bigger offensive role with the Petes over the next couple of seasons, and he will more than likely spend the next two years at least in the OHL.

Once he turns 20, the Leafs will likely give him a look in the NHL and if he doesn’t pan out, then he gets to grow and hone his skills in the AHL. The Leafs have all the time in the world with Robertson’s development and he could really make a name for himself in the organization if his game continues to improve each year.

In the end, I think Robertson has potential to be a solid top six left winger with the Leafs. When I look at his skillset, his tendencies on the ice, and his personality, he reminds me a lot of a Brendan Gallagher type of player. Someone who could put up 50 points a season and get under the skin of his opponents and thrive in a role like that.

And like I said, there’s absolutely no rush when it comes to Robertson’s development.  (All statistics obtained from eliteprospects.com).

The Toronto Maple Leafs have already developed a core that has years and years to burn, and Robertson will have the opportunity to play alongside of established talent once his time comes.