On the Nick Robertson front, I think part of the problem is that the Leafs "NEED" some of their prospects to contribute.  The cap has made it that way, so people are expecting him to come in an provide scoring depth and take a roster spot at a really cheap cost.  This could be a problem if the Leafs start rushing prospects.  We'll get back to the old narrative of "The Leafs don't know how to develop players".  To be fair, I always thought that was a bit of an incorrect assessment of the Leafs.

In Robertson's case he was drafted 3 years ago, so I don't think he's really been rushed.  In this day and age players are coming in ready to play at young ages, so hopefully this is his year.

I think that every player has a different timeline.  Matthews could step into the league at 18 and contribute right away.   Marner needed another year.  In the case of Robertson, I worry that cap  pressure will cause them to put some of these players in a situation where they won't be in the best possible position to succeed.  Based on what I have seen, it looks like Robertson needs a little more seasoning.  He has all the tools but he needs a better toolbox.  He just looks like he is a half step behind the play.

As previously posted his significant injury fortune and covid have not allowed him to really settle in and just play

Right, and that is the point.  If you read my earlier posts, my fear is that they won't give him that time to develop.  Take a look at a lot of the line combinations that people have here for the coming year, and people are penciling in Robertson to play on the big club in some way shape or form, and the reason they are doing that is because of the cap issues that the team has.  If he isn't ready to play in that role, then that is a mistake.  If he needs the time in the AHL, then it is better to let him play there for the year to gain that development time.

The flip side of that though is that the Leafs need cheap young depth to start coming through the system.

Can't keep trading away pics and expect that to happen. 

The teams core was built to excel at pond hockey not playoff hockey.  Its just that simple

We're in this mess because of all the selfish people out there who refuse to obey the rules and STAY HOME!!!  Government can't do anything if the people won't listen.  It amazes me how people need to be told and even forced to do the obvious.  Idiots.....

The leafs have 3 pics left....

This year. Late round picks in 2022 are definitely on the table for depth pieces, though.

4 left for 2022. Better keep some to blow on rentals next season

The leafs have 3 pics left....

I remember the overwhelming consensus from the peanut gallery was that Bergevin was an idiot for moving Subban for Weber, so best to see how this one plays out.

Yeah but that was being wrong on an outlier aging curve. Josh Anderson has barely cracked 40pts in his career.

Yes but he is a beast...and fast.  Wish he was a Leaf

Well in that case you won't mind when the board autocorrects it for you next time.

Why would I mind?

Just glad we didn't go down that road with Hunter.

Definitely. I hope Dubas can shut everyone up.

I have a feeling this will be Dubas last draft in Toronto.

What a clever name, get that from Simmons? Cox? Someone from a TSN article comment section?

Nope just a typo

Just glad we didn't go down that road with Hunter.

Definitely. I hope Dubas can shut everyone up.

I have a feeling this will be Dubas last draft in Toronto. 

Bah who needs depth and a stable of good young prospects.  The future is now

Looking back at the top of the draft for a moment, it always confused me that there was really any debate around who LA might pick at 2: Byfield or Stutzle. Before I really looked into the prospect group this year very much I knew that Byfield was generally speaking the concensus #2 so when Stutzle entered into the conversation I assumed that it was him who was the big centre and that's why LA would have been more interested. But Byfield is the big (and very skilled) C and Stutzle is the smaller offensive winger. If LA did do a lot of flip-flopping on that pick I wonder what the reasoning was.

I read someplace that Stutzle plays center.  Some wing...

Hoping for a right D who can play defence

Smart GMs don?t sign 30 year olds to long term deals.  Some idiot probably will but I sure hope it?s not the leafs

Can he actually defend?  The leafs don?t need anymore fancy pass goal scorers. 

They can't even cross the border can they?  Will have to play playoffs in Canada or USA