Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs had seven prospects selected by their respective countries for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, but there are indications that the most prominent one may not be allowed to participate. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported on Friday that Team USA may be without Robertson for the upcoming tournament. Robertson played for the American squad last December in the Czech Republic and scored five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in five games. The 19-year-old would likely be prominently placed on one of the top offensive units alongside top NHL prospects Trevor Zegras, Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte, but McKenzie indicated that the top priority for the Leafs and possibly Robertson is to try to make the NHL roster. The NHL has not finalized the date of the start of the regular season, but most reports indicate Wed. January 13 as opening day. That would likely mean that training camps for the 24 clubs that played in the Edmonton and Toronto hubs would be around New Year’s. The World Junior begins on Christmas Day and lasts until January 5, and the Americans are expected to finalize their roster by December 13. According to the report, the NHL health/safety protocols that call for a 7-day quarantine for players who arrive in a home city on a commercial flight would have Robertson potentially miss all of Leafs camp. If the league started the season later in the month, it is possible that Toronto would allow Robertson to go to Edmonton. Robertson remained in Canada after playing four games in the qualifying round against Columbus in August to work out at the club’s practice facility in hopes of making the NHL roster next season. ******* Hockey Hall-of-Famer and three-time Stanley Cup winner Igor Larionov is making his debut as Team Russia’s coach at the World Junior Championships later this month with a squad that will be depending on top prospect goalie Yaroslav Askarov, forward Vasili Podkolzin and Leafs 2020 top pick Rodion Amirov to have success. “Amirov had a great tournament in November in Finland (Karjala Cup). He played really well, and he’s played good hockey for his hometown team in Ufa.… Larionov said to Sportsology’s Russ Cohen. It’s all about being the best at peak time. When the time comes at the end of December, and the beginning of January, that’s when we expect our players to play their best hockey.…
*******
Podcast time with NJ & MIB.
— The Leafs Convo (@TheLeafsConvo2) December 6, 2020
Enjoy!!@MikeInBuffalo @mapleleafsaggr @IamNormanJames #theleafsconvo #tmltalk #nhl #LeafsForever https://t.co/Ev5fyl9XAK