It’s officially official, the 2020-21 NHL season is set to begin on January 13th and with that comes some predictions for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After a long time not knowing when the 2021 season was going to begin for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was recently announced that the NHL and NHLPA have agreed on a start date as well as other details for the new season.
It will be a 56 game season starting in mid January with four new divisions, including an all Canadian Division where the Maple Leafs will play six other Canadian teams all season long.
With a new season comes a new batch of predictions.
1. Nick Robertson Makes Lineup and is a Calder Finalist
2019-20 OHL stats – 46 GP – 55 G – 31 A – 86 PTS
Career OHL stats – 162 GP – 97 G – 77 A – 174 PTS
Nick Robertson debuted in the NHL in the summer time when the Toronto Maple Leafs played the Columbus Blue Jackets in their play in series for the 2020 NHL playoffs and performed well.
Robertson scored a goal and is now looking to train and improve his game to try and make the Toronto Maple Leafs permanently.
Robertson is a 19 year old just one year removed from being the youngest player in his draft class. He is a bit of a longshot to earn regular ice time, but the Leafs will need players on their team who don’t have to clear waivers to go to the taxi squad, in order to manipulate the salary cap so that they can make use of their incredible depth.
This and the fact that the only other place Robertson can play is a league in which he’s clearly too good for, suggest that it is probable he makes the team. Though he isn’t a Calder favorite, the Leafs high powered offense should allow the coaching staff to weaponize his elite shot to full effect, resulting in being a finalist for the NHL’s rookie of the year award. (All Stats from HockeyDB.com)