The Toronto Maple Leafs may have yet another young talent added to their roster once play resumes.
On Tuesday, Gary Bettman formally announced the 2019/2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs format which includes 24 teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs will square off against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 5-game play-in series in order to advance to the 1st round.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the break allowed many of their injured players to have some time off and recover.
Now it seems it may allow them to add their top prospect as well.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Nick Robertson
The break has also allowed for management to look deeper into their talent pool, and discuss potential call-ups should there be any injuries throughout training camp or the play-in series.
Today via Chris Johnston, the Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas officially announced they will be adding forward Nick Robertson to their expanded playoff roster.
Nick Robertson was selected 53rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Like many of the active Maple Leaf players, Robertson fits the bill of a skilled forward who has a nose for the back of the net.
In his draft year, Robertson scored 27 goals and 28 assists for 55 points in 54 games played. Robertson led in points scored for the Peterborough Petes that season, and was second in team goals scored. (stats via hockeydb)
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the OHL season came to a close and thus ended Robertson’s season early this year.
In 46 games played this season, Robertson dominated the OHL with a whopping 55 goals and 31 assists for 86 points.
Not only was Robertson at the top of the Petes team goal scoring list again, he led all CHL players in goals scored. Robertson also had a fantastic World Junior showcase with the United States, tallying up 5 points in 5 games.
Sign On The Dotted Line
On September 19th, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they had signed Robertson to a three year entry-level contract.
The signing of this contract early in the year proved to be very important for the Maple Leafs, as players who were not signed before the break are ineligible to participate in the 2019/2020 NHL Playoffs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a young and skilled team that thrives on their offensive capabilities and creativity. What Robertson brings to the table is just that; skill, creativity, speed, and goal scoring.
There is no guarantee Robertson brings all of that to the table at the NHL level at 18 years of age, but who’s to say he won’t?
With such a long layoff from hockey, the young players carry an advantage over veteran players. A young team can stop and start much easier than a team filled with veterans who need some time to dust off the old cobwebs.
If the start to NHL seasons are any indication of what rust looks like, the Toronto Maple Leafs have always started the season scoring LOTS of goals.
If Robertson can manage to squeak his way onto the active roster these NHL Playoffs, we could see a young and motivated player thrive in a situation he wouldn’t normally be in.
These NHL Playoffs are far from normal, so why not try something different? Adding Nick Robertson to the extended playoff roster shows the creativity of the Toronto Maple Leafs management, and the confidence they have in the young forward.