Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

NHL Prospect of the Year: How Toronto's Robertson surpassed expectations, plus our All-Prospect team

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Friday, 10 April 2020 11:18

The 2019-20 hockey season was incomplete for most leagues. But even with playoff-less campaigns, we still have a large sample of prospect game play and plenty of evidence of progression. And we can certainly still name a Prospect of the Year based on what we saw throughout the season.

Last season's Prospect of the Year was defenseman Cale Makar, who followed up one of the more remarkable seasons by a collegiate player in recent memory with a truly stellar rookie season with the Colorado Avalanche. He might soon have a Calder Trophy to put next to his Hobey Baker Award in his trophy case.

Makar was an easy choice for the Prospect of the Year designation a year ago, but so many incredible performances made it a lot closer this time around. So I'm putting a little twist on it this year -- in addition to naming the Prospect of the Year, I'm casting a wider net and also picking a 23-player roster to create the 2019-20 All-Prospect team.

But before we reveal the honorees, an important caveat: The Prospect of the Year is in specific reference to the season the player just completed. Stats, individual honors from their respective leagues and progression on their development curve are all considered. This is not necessarily a reflection of a player's long-term projection, and the Prospect of the Year should not also be considered hockey's top prospect. That's what our top 50 lists are for. This is simply an evaluation of the past 12 months.

Jump to:
Prospect of the Year | Just missed
The All-Prospect team roster

Prospect of the Year: Nicholas Robertson, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

NHL affiliation: Toronto Maple Leafs
Drafted: No. 53 in 2019

There were so many worthy candidates, but there was something special about what the 18-year-old accomplished this season. With 55 goals in just 46 games, Robertson had the highest goals-per-game average (1.19) for a player with at least 50 goals in the OHL since Pat Peake averaged 1.26 goals per game in 1992-93. A full 68-game season at that pace would have put Robertson over 80 goals. Eighty. That's ridiculous. (Though it's worth noting Robertson would not have played a full 68-game season, regardless of the canceled season. He dealt with injuries and was with Team USA for World Junior Championship duty.)

One of the youngest players eligible to be drafted last June, Robertson has put himself in a position to already challenge for a spot on the Maple Leafs next season. I had him as my No. 19 prospect in the class entering the 2019 draft, but he slid all the way to No. 53 in the second round. Concerns about his size (5-foot-9, 164 pounds) and skating caused teams to hedge on Robertson. During his 2018-19 season, Robertson had 55 points in 54 games for Peterborough and was a standout for Team USA at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

Read 3280 times

Soccer

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA full can of beer thrown from the stands struck Mexico coach Javie...

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLyon have been banned from making any transfers in the January tran...

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

A brace from Luis Palma on Friday carried Honduras to a 2-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Mex...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Once again, the "code" word has come up in a game...

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When De'Aaron Fox saw that he had 48 points i...

Baseball

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated