Dallas Stars draft prospect report: Jason Robertson

With Jason Robertson’s performance this past season you’d think he’d be higher on draft boards.

As a 17-year-old on low-scoring Kingston Frontenacs team Robertson had 42 goals and 81 points in 68 OHL games. That’s pretty close to the production of Owen Tippet (44 goals, 75 points in 60 game for the Mississauga Steelheads), who many — myself included — have going in the top-10 picks later this month.

Robertson, however, is looked at as more of an early second round pick. Most scouting services have him ranked in the 30s and some as low as 51 (The Hockey News).

And that’s because Robertson is going to be a project and his offensive numbers overshadow the deficiencies in his game.

Robertson is a bit of a clunky skater. He has good top-end speed, but his technique needs to be refined. A couple scouts pointed out that his stride needs to be re-fined and that he needs to get more power into the lower-body of his 6-foot-2, 196-pound frame.

There is also work to be done when Robertson is away from the offensive zone. His defensive game improved this season, but was still a work in progress, and his work away from the puck has raised red flags for a couple scouts and he tends to puck watch rather than be actively engaged defensively.

The good news is those things could be worked out and Robertson could be a steal for the Dallas Stars (or any team) when they draft at No. 29 or No. 39 later this month.

Robertson, who is an American playing in the OHL, is a pure goal scorer. He’s dangerous below the circles and has a quick, heavy wrist shot that bothered goalies in the OHL this past season. He has good hands and uses them effectively in front of the net, and likes to create his own chances by driving to the net.

He makes efficient passes and can setup his teammates, but he isn’t an overly creative playmaker.

And Robertson is a potential top-six forward in the NHL, but he needs to put in some work to fix his ailments. It’s one thing to put up points in junior hockey, but today’s NHL is built on strong skating and if Robertson doesn’t improve in that area he won’t be able to keep up in the NHL.

For a team with less picks Robertson may not be worth the risk, but for a team like the Stars with three picks in the top-40, picking Robertson at No. 39 could be the long-term project that pans out as one of the steals of the draft.