The Toronto Maple Leafs have inked their top draft pick from this year, signing Nicholas Robertson to a three-year entry-level contract. The 18-year old forward was selected 53rd overall in June and will play in the OHL once again this season.
Robertson had an impressive showing for the Maple Leafs at their recent prospect showcase and will return to the Peterborough Petes with renewed confidence for this season. One of the youngest players in his draft class and the younger brother of Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson, the newest Maple Leafs prospect already has big expectations in the organization.
Toronto has focused primarily on rebuilding their defensive prospect cupboard over the last few years, selected Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin in the first rounds of 2017 and 2018 respectively. In fact, all four of the team’s first or second round picks during that period play defense, leaving Robertson as the highest drafted forward since the team selected Auston Matthews in 2016. While the NHL team is loaded with talent up front, they’ll need players like Robertson to fill in the gaps on their entry-level deals after giving out some of the most expensive contracts in the league.
Though the Maple Leafs are sitting at 49/50 contracts at the moment, Robertson’s deal will not count towards that total given that he has already been sent back to junior. Given his young age, the first year of this entry-level deal could potentially slide forward to 2021-22 depending on how the Maple Leafs decide to develop him.
Should add to article that it’s also the leafs 50th player signed so they’re At the max for contracts
As I’ve included, because Robertson has already been sent back to junior and is still just 18, his is not included in the 50-contract limit. It will slide this year.
Dumbass