Matthew Robertson, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

BIO

Position: LHD
Age on Draft Day: 18
Height/Weight: 6’4”/201
2018-19 Stats: 52 GP, 7 G, 26 A, +18
Projection: 15th (Future Considerations), 16th (TSN’s Bob McKenzie), 26th (NHL Central Scouting), 35th Corey Pronman (Legit NHL Prospect/Bottom Half of Roster (Second-Round Pick))

About

Despite a banged up year in the WHL, 18-year-old Matthew Robertson helped guide the Edmonton Oil Kings to a Semi-final appearance in the WHL playoffs. Robertson isn’t all that well-known for his offensive abilities, but he added 33 points in his limited 52 games this year, which was a big boost to his overall game. Robertson is a monster on the blue line for as big as he is, and with such impressive size, it’d be safe to assume he would have to work on his skating. Well, that’s not the case with Robertson, as his skating and mobility are one of the better parts of his game. He’s not the fastest skater, but his strides are so powerful and long that he is able to keep up with almost anyone.

Robertson is considered a two-way defender, but it’s the defensive side of his game that  scouts drool over. He’s a typical defender that you don’t notice most of the time, because he just does everything right. He fills gaps, makes the smart play out of his own zone, gets his stick in the right passing lanes and is so big that he makes it tough for teams to even enter the zone. Going the other way, Robertson has no problem jumping up in, and even sometimes leading, rushes out of his defensive zone. On top of that, he is well-known for being smart enough to recognize when he should jump in to a rush or pinch in an offensive zone, that it’s tough to ever see him get beat going back the other way.

Reading up and watching film on Robertson, I am intrigued. Is he someone the Red Wings absolutely need to try and trade for in the draft? No, nor do I expect them to do so. But if he can get in the right NHL system he could become one of the better defenders in hockey in 4-5 years. He’s still a couple of seasons away from the NHL, but young, potentially elite defenders have been a need for this team since Lidstrom retired. So if the opportunity presents itself, why not take a shot on Robertson?

Would you want the Red Wings to draft Matthew Robertson?