For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs organization has drafted and developed a number of youngsters currently playing in the NHL, but with players like Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson and Travis Dermott on their roster, the next step for the club is to keep replenishing the prospect pool to provide the Leafs with youngsters who can step up and replace veterans who retire, depart via free agency or are traded. As we did last summer, we will rank the club’s top 25 prospects over the next few weeks based on their progress in either the NCAA, CHL, Europe or the American Hockey League and their potential to make the Leafs roster and make a contribution in the future. Players are not eligible for the list if they are 25 years old or over, or if they have played more than 30 NHL games: Top 25 list #25 – Eemeli Rasanen – D (Jokerit – KHL / Toronto Marlies – AHL) #24 – Pontus Holmberg – LW (Vaxjo HC – SHL) #23 – Mikhail Abramov – C (Victoriaville – QMJHL) #22 – Nick Abruzzese - C (Chicago – USHL) #21 – Teemu Kivihalme - D (Karpat – SM-Liiga) #20 – Riley Stotts – C (Calgary – WHL) #19 – Filip Kral - D (Spokane – WHL) #18 – Mikko Kokkonen – D (Jukurit – SM Liiga) #17 – Jesper Lindgren - D (HPK – SM Liiga / Toronto – AHL) #16 – Joseph Duszak - D (Mercyhurst – NCAA / Toronto - AHL) #15 – Mac Hollowell - D (Sault Ste. Marie – OHL / Toronto - AHL) #14 – Semyon Der-Argushintsev – C (Peterborough – OHL / Newfoundland - ECHL) #13 – Mason Marchment – LW (Toronto - AHL) #12 – Adam Brooks – C (Toronto - AHL) #11 – Ian Scott – G (Prince Albert - WHL) #10 – Dmytro Timashov – LW (Toronto - AHL) #9 – Egor Korshkov - RW (Lokomotiv - KHL / Toronto - AHL) ******* #8 – Nick Robertson - LW (Peterborough - OHL) 2018 Ranking – N/A
The Toronto Maple Leafs once again displayed their tendency under GM Kyle Dubas in drafting highly skilled players by selecting Peterborough Petes winger Nick Robertson at the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver. The Leafs were without a first round pick for the first time since 2010 after trading it to Los Angeles in the Jake Muzzin deal and selected Robertson with their first pick late in the second round (53rd overall).
As with junior teammate and 2018 draftee Semyon Der-Argushintsev, Robertson is one of the youngest players available in the 2019 class and does not turn 18 until September 11. The younger brother of Dallas Stars prospect Jason, Robertson and his family moved from California to Michigan to the Toronto area, where he played Bantam, Midget and in the OJHL before joining the Petes in 2017.
The concerns and questions with Robertson are his size, strength and skating ability.
“Robertson is one of the weakest kids in this draft class who routinely gets knocked down to the ice and against larger more experienced defenseman, has a difficult time penetrating through lanes, which forces him to the outside. Furthermore, it’s difficult to see how Robertson can be effective along the boards when taking into account his current frame.… HockeyProspect.com’s Mark Edwards indicated in analysis before the draft. “He has difficulty pushing off correctly, generates little power(with his skating), and has balance-issues that don’t allow him to produce much in the way of straight-line speed. The end result is a player whose both very small and can’t skate overly well.…
Working with skating consultant Barb Underhill and the Leafs strength and conditioning staff in time may eliminate these physical concerns, but that will reveal itself in time. Besides returning to Peterborough for his third OHL season, Robertson may have a good chance to make Team USA for the 2020 World Junior Championships after an impressive showing at the WJCC Summer Showcase in Michigan.
Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson makes it a 5-3 game in the 3rd period. He takes the pass from Nick Robertson and fires one thru traffic for the goal. #WJSS #Sabres50 #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/bjX1uJqT7C
— Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) August 3, 2019
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— The Leafs Convo (@TheLeafsConvo) August 23, 2019