nuck
Schrodingers Cat
- Aug 18, 2005
- 11,429
- 2,496
People dramatically overstate the impact of players repeating levels. If Marner can go back at 18 after putting up 2ppg the previous year and improve as a player, then Nick Robertson isn't going to be above that level. If you are too good for the OHL at 19, you are good enough to be a top 9 NHL player. It's all about the mind-set you take. If you want to go down to improve certain weaknesses they are easier to improve and try out against lesser comp. So many guys get rushed to higher levels and then become completely risk-averse as they lose confidence.
Especially for smaller guys. There is no downside to letting a smaller player fill out before you ask them to do the same things with pros they are doing against teenagers. The AHL might be interesting if it were available and he was truly ready but the Leafs more than most clubs have the luxury of time with a young scoring winger.