Knies vs Amirov vs Robertson

[notbias]

I think this is easily Amirov, love the Knies pick, he is trending well and has size and skill. I have fallen out of love with Robertson, but I still think he can be a decent NHLer.

 

[zeke]

At WJC

Robertson (18): 5gms, 2gls, 5pts
Amirov (19): 7gms, 2gls, 6pts
Knies (19): 1gms, 1gls, 1pts

People forget that Nick was in the WJC a year younger than the other two, and was as good or better than them.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

At WJC

Robertson (18): 5gms, 2gls, 5pts
Amirov (19): 7gms, 2gls, 6pts
Knies (19): 1gms, 1gls, 1pts

People forget that Nick was in the WJC a year younger than the other two, and was as good or better than them.

I mean kind of have to just take Knies out of a WJC comparison at this point no? He played 1 game how can you say he played better or worse then anyone?

 

[Oscar Peterson]

I have Amirov as our number 1 prospect, his skating is elite, he also has great shooting mechanics and decent vision, it's tough that he's had some obstacles this year but it's not enough for me to discount his ceiling.

Knies is looking really good and I see him fitting in really nice as a supporting player on ideally Matthews' line in the future, I have him no.2. Robertson's production is impressive but whenever I've seen him play pro hockey he looks pretty out of place even if scoring in the AHL, with all the injuries he's dealing with I have him 3. Those three are clearly on a different tier than any of our other prospects though in my mind.

 

[Dion TheFluff]

I have Amirov as our number 1 prospect, his skating is elite, he also has great shooting mechanics and decent vision, it's tough that he's had some obstacles this year but it's not enough for me to discount his ceiling.

Knies is looking really good and I see him fitting in really nice as a supporting player on ideally Matthews' line in the future, I have him no.2. Robertson's production is impressive but whenever I've seen him play pro hockey he looks pretty out of place even if scoring in the AHL, with all the injuries he's dealing with I have him 3. Those three are clearly on a different tier than any of our other prospects though in my mind.

depends on weather u still consider Liljegren a prospect or not? He would be my number 1 if so.
Niemela has also worked his way into the discussion IMO

 

[Oscar Peterson]

depends on weather u still consider Liljegren a prospect or not? He would be my number 1 if so.
Niemela has also worked his way into the discussion IMO

I don't, but he wouldn't be my number 1. And Niemela is having a great season, but he's still a lot more of a longshot to make the NHL, I have him at 4 but he's raised his stock a lot this season no doubt.

 

[zeke]

I mean kind of have to just take Knies out of a WJC comparison at this point no? He played 1 game how can you say he played better or worse then anyone?

Still the point that Knies was there at 19 not 18.

And for those who watched Knies in that game and the pre-tourney games they could have an idea of what level he was at compared to his peers (imo a similar level Nick was at.....at 18).

 

[Mess]

Thanks.
In that case I'm thinking Robertson holds the most value in trade as he has shown he is NHL ready

Since turning pro Robertson has only played in 29 games total since 2019-20 season end and lost a lot of key development time to injury unfortunately that he will not be getting back.

Amoirov also has had some injury plague season recent stunting his development, as well as limited playing time in the KHL.

It be hard to say if Dubas offered the choice to the 3 to an opposing GM in trade return, as to which prospect they would take or have the most value. IMO

 

[RomanianLeafs]

Love Knies and Robertson but Amirov is my fav..kid is very very good don't be fooled by the current situation he will be a top 6 player for us in 2 years..i would trade Robertson in a Chychrun deal without hesitation

 

[ULF_55]

Have only seen Robertson, but he didn't look like a NHL player.
Hoping the next time I see him he looks legit.
Leafs need them all, and need them all on the team on their ELC.

 

[Michael HOMERUNing]

Don’t think Robertson holds much value in a trade right now so if we were to package one with a 1st it would likely be one of the others

 

[saltming]

Since turning pro Robertson has only played in 29 games total since 2019-20 season end and lost a lot of key development time to injury unfortunately that he will not be getting back.

Amoirov also has had some injury plague season recent stunting his development, as well as limited playing time in the KHL.

It be hard to say if Dubas offered the choice to the 3 to an opposing GM in trade return, as to which prospect they would take or have the most value. IMO

Agreed but if you are looking at them, only 1 has any NHL experience

 

[TheShape]

All 3 will make it. I'm pretty high on the trio, if you forced me to trade one it would be Robertson. Amirov may take longer to get there but he has an elite skill set and offensively the highest ceiling.

Knies is physically ready for the NHL tomorrow, this management group doesn't rush prospects but I could see him making the roster out of camp next year. Aside from Bunting, our LW is up for grabs.

 

[Dreakmur]

At WJC

Robertson (18): 5gms, 2gls, 5pts
Amirov (19): 7gms, 2gls, 6pts
Knies (19): 1gms, 1gls, 1pts

People forget that Nick was in the WJC a year younger than the other two, and was as good or better than them.

Not all styles translate equally well to the NHL. Robertson too often looks like he's being chased by bees.

If he learns when to slow down, he could be effective.

 

[stickty111]

Amirov still. Still has the highest ceiling from the three and what has happened isn't his fault either.
Knies has been tremendous though. His skill combined with his size is fascinating.
Robertson is still very good but needs to stay healthy.

 

[Stonehands1990]

Robertson. Robertson has NHL level skills and NHL level training ethic. He just hasn't had the ability to prove it this current season.

Then maybe Knies with his skill and size. I know where Amirov was picked, I'm still thinking there are other prospects I rate higher: Niemela and Hirvonen. This is a good thing because Amirov is still a legit prospect.

Does he have NHL level training ethic though? I used to think his Instagram videos were hype also but other than 30 second clips we have no evidence. We aren’t with him 24 hours a day, he doesn’t seem to be getting stronger either

 

[Judas Tavares]

Knies fits a need. I think Amirov has the most potential but will also require the most patience. Robertson is likely closest to contributing. This is a nice "problem" to have.

 

[Mess]

Agreed but if you are looking at them, only 1 has any NHL experience

As with all prospects who are suspects until proven otherwise, the key issue when evaluating them is to project best NHL potential long term and not necessarily fastest to/most NHL ready today as of now. IMO

"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" doesn't really apply to unknown prospects, as it essentially the opposite of giving away ready made assets in trade today to for a future payoff in potential down the road.

PS.. I was underwhelmed by what I saw of Robertson in NHL play as he looked lost, easily knocked down and off the puck and far from NHL ready soon. Size, strength and physical maturity are things he needs .. Hopefully he is eating a lot of hamburgers while on IR, that payout development dividends down the road.

 

[nobody]

No one else in our entire prospect pool can do this. Honestly, as with most people on this planet, out of sight, out of mind is a big problem. Nic Robertson isn't the shiny new toy but pound for pound he is one of the best prospects we've drafted since Matthews. This kid has an elite skill, shot, and compete. The thing that has hindered him is his role on the team and his strength. As he grows older and continues to physically mature, he will get exponentially better. He is also a huge part of our future 2PP at the right circle where he gives us a one-time threat.

Amirov to me is a lottery ticket. Offensively, we might have something, we might have nothing. We really don't know. From what I've seen of him in the KHL last year, he was a very good low-event player on the UFA 3rd line. He is extremely responsible defensively and I think at worst we might have a very good 3rd line player who can play a big role defensively for us. On the high-end, we have a 2-way monster who can provide great 2ndary offense along with + defense.

Matthews Knies to me is the more one-dimensional player of the three. Knies has the potential to be a monster on the offensive end as long as he can utilize his body more than he uses his hands. He has the capability of finding soft spots on the ice and creating a lot of space for his linemates. Pair him up with Matthews and forget about it. I don't think he thrives in the NHL as a bottom 6 guy/ more defensive role. Just like Brandon Saad (whose defensive play is grossly overrated).

Marner - Matthews - Knies --> Power line
Nylander - JT - Robertson --> 2-way line
Kase - Kampf - Amirov --> Shutdown line with skill on wings
Simmonds - Engvall - Mikhy --> Energy line
Spezza

Brodie - Rielly
Lilly - Muzzin
Dermott - Sandin

Campbell
Mrazek

I think this is the team I would try to run with in 2 years' time. Kerfoot, Holl, Ritchie are all guys we need to get rid of to afford to sign Lilly/Sandy/Mikhy/Campbell.

____________________________________________________________________


P.S.

I would not sleep on Abruzzesse, Tverberg and Steeves. Our prospect pool is an embarrassment of riches. Nice to see after the atrocious Mark Hunter era.

 

[zeke]

Not all styles translate equally well to the NHL. Robertson too often looks like he's being chased by bees.

If he learns when to slow down, he could be effective.

Yeah it's a pretty nice contrast in performance/tools upside.

Robertson has had the most impressive performance for age of the 3 by a good margin - legit high end production, but lacks both size and skating (though has plenty of grit and heart).

Knies has had good not great production so far but has pretty much all the tools you could want (some issues with skating but still a plus skater overall). He plays gritty enough but there may be some questions on consistent effort and physicality levels.

Amirov also has had good but not great production, but has the most refined skating/skill package (questions on the grit/heart side tho).

Overall it's a close comp between the 3 and I'm not sure I have a super strong preference.

 

[Dreakmur]

Yeah it's a pretty nice contrast in performance/tools upside.

Robertson has had the most impressive performance for age of the 3 by a good margin - legit high end production, but lacks both size and skating (though has plenty of grit and heart).

Knies has had good not great production so far but has pretty much all the tools you could want (some issues with skating but still a plus skater overall). He plays gritty enough but there may be some questions on consistent effort and physicality levels.

Amirov also has had good but not great production, but has the most refined skating/skill package (questions on the grit/heart side tho).

Overall it's a close comp between the 3 and I'm not sure I have a super strong preference.

Yeah, they're all decent prospects. The more I watch them, the more I like Knies and Amirov... and the less I like Robertson. You can't fix stupid (lack of vision, creativity, and anticipation), and I think that's his main issue.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Knies probably has the greatest chance to provide us with a skillset unique to this roster.

 

[zeke]

Yeah, they're all decent prospects. The more I watch them, the more I like Knies and Amirov... and the less I like Robertson. You can't fix stupid (lack of vision, creativity, and anticipation), and I think that's his main issue.

You also can't teach heart/effort, which is one of the better predictors of whether a player reaches his upside.

 

[saltming]

As with all prospects who are suspects until proven otherwise, the key issue when evaluating them is to project best NHL potential long term and not necessarily fastest to/most NHL ready today as of now. IMO

"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" doesn't really apply to unknown prospects, as it essentially the opposite of giving away ready made assets in trade today to for a future payoff in potential down the road.

PS.. I was underwhelmed by what I saw of Robertson in NHL play as he looked lost, easily knocked down and off the puck and far from NHL ready soon. Size, strength and physical maturity are things he needs .. Hopefully he is eating a lot of hamburgers while on IR, that payout development dividends down the road.

So I agree with all your points, I'm just saying that Robertson has shown he has NHL capability already, so his floor is a garentee. With strength improvement, not worried about size myself, he will only improve, thus the reason I think a GM might look at him higher than the other 2 who have yet to prove they can translate to the NHL.
That said, if a GM decides to take a flyer, I think Amirov would be next as he's playing in a good league and doing well.
Personally though I wouldn't want to lose Knies of the 3 as I like his game, tools and toolbox. Also, he is looking to be quiet the powerforward, something we have not grown at home since..

 

[DarkKnight]

Robertson, surprised so many have soured on a kid already.