Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2021 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we bring you our Simon Robertsson Scouting Report.
Swedish winger Simon Robertsson had a strong season in the Skelleftea system, proving that he is one to watch for the 2021 NHL Draft. Robertsson played 22 games with the SHL club, but limited ice time led to him only putting up one goal and one assist. However, he dominated in the Under-20 league. Robertsson put up nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 15 games. This led the North Division in points. He also was loaned out to lower league squad Pitea HC, where he put up two goals and an assist for three points in seven games. He also added three assists in five playoff games.
Robertsson joined the Swedish team at the IIHF Under-2o World Championships. He put up three goals and an assist for four points in seven games. He helped the team to a bronze medal.
In 2019-20, Robertsson put up one goal in eight SHL games. He also scored 13 goals and 30 points in 41 games in the J20 league. He added one goal in two J18 games. Robertsson played for Team Sweden at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. He scored one goal and three points in five games.
Simon Robertsson Scouting Report
Left Wing/Right Wing — shoots Left
Born February 5th, 2003 — Pitea, Sweden
Height 6’0″ — Weight 190 lbs [183 cm / 86 kg]
Skating
Robertsson is a very good skater. He has an excellent first step and his strides are powerful. However, he could stand to have a bet longer stride. This gives him good speed and acceleration but there is still room to improve. Robertsson can take a defender wide and cut to the net. He also moves well through the neutral zone. His agility and edgework are also good. Robertsson has good crossovers and accelerates out of his turns. He has a strong lower body already. He can fight through checks and keep moving. Robertsson is strong on the boards and in winning battles in front of the net.
Offensive Game
Robertsson is a pure goal scorer. His wrist shot is excellent. It is very powerful and extremely accurate. Robertsson also has a very good release. He gets his shot off quickly. He also uses his quick hands to change the angle on his shot and fool goaltenders. Robertsson also has a good slap shot and one-timer. He is a smart player who understands how to find open space and get himself ready to let that shot go. Robertsson also has the hands to score in tight to the net, though he could drive the net more often.
Robertsson is also good as a playmaker. He is a good stickhandler and uses his body to protect the puck in the cycle game. He has good vision and can make accurate passes through tight passing lanes when his linemates get open. Robertsson does a good job of controlling the play from the half-boards on the power play. He also handles the puck well through the neutral zone. Robertsson generates effective zone entries as he uses his speed and agility to generate space through the neutral zone. He also does a good job of getting in quickly on the forecheck and forcing turnovers form opponents and creating scoring chances that way.
Defensive Game
Robertsson could stand to work on his defensive game. He can sometimes shy away from contact and playing his man on the boards. This may come as he matures and gains confidence in his size and strength. He also has a tendency to puck watch a little bit and stop moving his feet, allowing his opponent to get away from him. Robertsson is good when a turnover is created. If he collects a loose puck, he can skate the puck out of the zone or start the transition game with a good first pass to a teammate. Robertsson can certainly be taught to improve his defensive game but will need some steady coaching to do so.
Projection and Comparison
Robertsson has the size, shot, smarts and skating ability to succeed in the NHL. If he reaches his potential he could become a top-six winger, with the ability to contribute at even strength and on the power play. Robertsson needs to work on his defensive game and can improve his skating a little, but the skills he possesses can not be taught. He will need a couple more years in Sweden before he is ready to make an impact at the NHL level. Expect to see him take a big role at the World Junior Championships next season. Robertsson’s game is reminiscent of Andre Burakovsky but this is a stylistic comparison and not one based on skill and ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Simon Robertsson that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for our latest NHL Draft Article.
Simon Robertsson Scouting Report Main Photo:
Han slet hårt i kedjan med Nowick/Sundsvik & assisterade även till den sistnämndes mål. Grattis till första hjälmen, Simon Robertsson! 💪 pic.twitter.com/eTP3mJyuIQ
— Skellefteå AIK (@skelleftea_aik) January 30, 2021
