Photo by Christopher Mast/Getty Images
Basic Player Overview
2019/2020 Team: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Position: C, RW
Height — 5’10”, Weight — 176 lbs
Handedness: Right
Introduction
Tristen Robins started off the season at a slow pace scoring just 11 goals and 28 points in 35 games. Around New Years is the time where things changed offensively for him. When the Blades traded Eric Florchuk to Vancouver, they moved him from right wing to centre. Since then, Robins would flourish on offence. In his final 27 games, he amassed 22 goals and 45 points to end the season with a total of 33 goals and 73 points in 62 games — leading the Blades. Across the league he finished 11th in goals and 14th in total points, all while being one of the best defensive forwards in the WHL.
Playmaking
Robins is one of those players that can easily target a teammate and create scoring chances out of nothing. He has a knack for buying time in the offensive zone, allowing for his teammates to get into position for prime scoring opportunities. His excellent vision allows him to find open passing lanes consistently. He has a lot of confidence with the puck and is constantly keeping defencemen (and goalies) on their toes.
Hockey IQ
Robins constantly has his head on a swivel trying to read what the opponent is thinking. His overall positioning is great and leads to a lot of opportunities. He is an excellent penalty killer as he always has his stick in passing lanes causing havoc for attackers, which results in a lot of plays heading the other way. It’s truly amazing to see a player that has the ability to create scoring chances on the PK nearly every single time he is on the ice. Especially considering he does not have one shorthanded goal in his WHL career. He possesses one of the highest hockey IQ’s in the draft and will only get more dominate once he puts on more muscle.
Skating
Robins is not the fastest skater in this draft, especially for his size, but he does have a really good stride. He also has a very high motor where you won’t notice a big decrease in overall acceleration on longer shifts. His compete levels are very encouraging to see as he is always a hard target to knock off his skates, especially when he is along the boards.
Puck Skills
Tristen Robins has the ability to completely undress defenders and put them on highlight reels. However, the occurrence of these dekes are very rare as he will usually opt to take the shot on goal instead. He will usually attempt to make a deke early in a game and if it works he will continue to do it, but when he fails it is rare to see him try another move for the rest of the game.
Shot & Shot Creation
Robins possesses a shot that has a very quick release. On the PP, he tends to set up on the right faceoff circle where he was very successful throughout the season. His shot is very accurate from all areas in the offensive zone, but it does lack power behind it. This will need to be improved upon before making the jump to professional hockey. In the second half of the season, teams started to cover him more aggressively which allowed him to show his patience and calmness under pressure. Interesting to note, it was rare to see him attempt slap shots throughout the season.
DY Environment
Robins started the year on a line with captain Chase Wouters and fellow 2020 draft-eligible Kyle Crnkovic. The Blades then dealt Washington Capitals draft pick, Eric Florchuk, to the Vancouver Giants at the 2020 trade deadline, which gave Robins the opportunity to move to centre. The rest of the year he mainly centred the 2nd line with Crnkovic at LW and Martin Fasko-Rudas at RW, with occasional appearances from 2021 draft-eligible Colton Dach.
Statistics
Draft Rankings
#58 — Recruit Scouting
#69 — Future Considerations
#55 — McKeen’s Hockey
#86 — NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
#81 — Elite Prospects
Expected Round of Selection
Tristen Robins is expected to go somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd round of the 2020 NHL draft.
NHL Comparable
Brayden Point
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