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Toronto Maple Leafs Top 10 Prospects at the Start of the 2021-22 Season

By James Tanner

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Nick Robertson #89 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Nick Robertson #89 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Jul 13, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson  Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nick Robertson

Age:  20

Height/Weight:  5’9 164 lbs

Position:  Left Wing

Shoots:  Left

Draft: 2nd Round 53rd overall, 2020

If Nick Robertson wasn’t so small, he’d be an elite prospect with another team.

The Leafs were able to grab him when they did for two reasons.  Reason number one is that he was the youngest player in his draft, and only barely qualified for it.

Reason number two is that he isn’t super fast and he isn’t big, so there are questions about how his game will translate to the NHL level.

Still, had he been three days younger, he would still likely have been a top ten pick in 2021.

All players since 1990 who scored a goal per game in the OHL, and finished their seasons while still 18, have scored 40 goals in the NHL.  That’s a big ask for the undersized Robertson, but his shot is elite and he plays like he’s huge.

I have him ahead of Sandin because while Sandin is an NHL player, he is unlikely to be a star.  There is a slightly lower chance that Robertson makes it in some capacity, but he’s far more likely to be a star if he does.

dark. Next. The 5 Biggest Cup Contenders at the Start of the 2021-22 Season

Robertson will start this season with the Marlies, but he’ll be on the Leafs before long and racking up goals shortly after.  The ascension of Robertson, Amirov, Liljegren and Sandin is going to completely juice the Leafs core and allow them to keep their window open for the next five to ten seasons.

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