Editor In Leaf
Fansided

5 Toronto Maple Leafs Rookies Who Can Make an Impact Soon

By Carter Loewen

Toronto Maple Leafs -Nicholas Robertson (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs -Nicholas Robertson (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
OSHAWA, ON – JANUARY 31: Nick Robertson #16 of the Peterborough Petes looks on before a face-off during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 31, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /

Nick Robertson

Last Team: Peterborough Petes (OHL)

2019-20 Stats: 55 goals – 31 assists – 46 GP

Draft Year: 2019 (53rd Overall)

Position: C/LW

Age: 19

Height/Weight: 5’9″ – 161 lbs

Robertson at 18, was the youngest player in his draft class and ended up falling down to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round. Since his draft, the Northville, MI native has done nothing but excel.

Robertson led the OHL in goals and was the first member of the Petes in 27 years to hit the 50 goal mark. During the season he also represented the USA at the U20 WJC, recording 5 points (2 g – 3 a) in 5 games. Here is a list of Robertson’s other accomplishments throughout the season: (via eliteprospects.com)

  • CHL Sportsman of the Year
  • OHL First All-Star Team
  • OHL Most Goals (55)
  • OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (William Hanley Trophy)

It was because of these accomplishments that prior to the restart of the 2019-20 season, the Leafs decided to give Robertson a chance at a roster spot for the play-in. Robertson succeeded in camp and was rewarded a spot on the third line playing alongside Alexander Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen for 4 out of the 5 games in the play-in.

Watching Robertson in the play-in was a treat. The hustle. The hungriness for the puck. The work ethic. The willingness and confidence to take a shot at any time. It was all there. After a lot of hard work, he was even rewarded with his first career NHL goal.

Now, where will Robertson possibly fit into the Leafs for the 2020-21 season? There’s a good chance that he gets a spot on the 2nd/3rd line, as well as some powerplay time. If someone can dish him the puck, with his shot, he poses a threat from nearly anywhere on the ice. Despite being undersized, (5-foot-9, 161 lbs), he can still remain shifty and speedy on both the backcheck and forecheck.

It was without a doubt that Robertson is ready for the NHL and that he has a shot that will be hard to beat. He has a great offensive upside and it’s apparent that he has leadership material in him. There’s a likely chance that the 5-foot-9 centre will be able to make the jump to the NHL and provide an energizing presence to the blue and white.

Home/Analysis