Even though the Toronto Maple Leafs have one of the most talented teams new talent is always needed waiting in the pipelines
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Nick Robertson in the 2nd round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Robertson was born September 11th and was only a few days ahead of the cut-off, making him the youngest player in last year’s draft.
The Toronto Maple Leafs can boast about their deep offense and the number of weapons they possess, but the one thing they are lacking is grit and energy.
Standing at only 5ft 9 inches and 164 lbs, Robertson doesn’t look like an imposing player, and he isn’t. But, he is not afraid to throw his body around and give a hit.
In a few years once he completely develops, and if becomes more of an annoyance to play against, the Leafs could have a homegrown Brad Marchand or Andrew Shaw type of player which would be welcomed by most, if not all fans.
Nick Roberston is Making His Mark in The OHL
With the influx of high skill players being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, it makes sense to trade some of the guys who have no chance with the team in the likes of Jeremy Bracco in a package deal to get somebody to help the team, as players like Robertson are coming through the system. Whether that be for a backup goalie, defencemen, forward, or all three is up to Dubas.
At the moment Robertson currently sits tied for third in the OHL in goals with 19 in front of soon to be top 3 draft pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft Quinton Byfield. (ontariohockeyleague.com).
Robertson and Semyon Der-Arguchinstev are lighting it up on a very good Peterborough Petes team and it looks like Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has struck gold, which is good as you always need good players coming through the pipeline to compete with the best in the league.
Since joining the Petes in the 2017-2018 season there has been exponential growth in his PTS/G. In 62 contests in the 2017-2018 season, he managed to finish with a 0.53 PTS/G. In the following season, it took a big leap to 1.02 PTS/G.
This season he is at 1.65 PTS/G. This is not to say that it will translate to the NHL but it is certainly promising to see his growth rather than him be stagnant throughout his OHL career.
We are now starting to see if Dubas’ philosophy of high risk/high reward is paying off. Hopefully, Robertson can make the transition from the OHL to the Marlies than the big club.
In a game last week Robertson broke his finger and has missed the last few games, but the injury is not expected to be serious, and Robertson is expected back in plenty of time to suit up for the USA at this year’s world juniors.
Roberston is breaking out this year, and though he was a second rounder due to his young age at draft time, it now appears that had he been a few days older he would have been a first rounder next June.