Top 25 Under 25, #25: Buddy Robinson

On March 25, 2013, the Ottawa Senators signed undrafted free agent Charles Robinson III to an entry-level contract. The move caused little commotion at the time. He played six regular season games down the stretch with Binghamton, recording four points in that span. However, it was in training camp that first off-season that he made a big impression, and the legend of Buddy Robinson was born.

Robinson signed his ELC after playing two years of college, and then immediately left college to turn pro. His first full season with the Binghamton Senators was impressive, in which he notched 31 points in 69 games. His speed led to him being a frequent choice on the penalty kill as well. Many considered his 2014-15 season a disappointment, though his point totals actually rose modestly to 34 points in 75 games.

Robinson stands out for his size. He is listed at 6'5" and 236 lbs. Unless most big hockey players, he is quick on his feet. That combination of speed and size is what had management drooling over him in the first place. The problem is that people expected him to take a step forward last year, and instead most Binghamton players had down years. This is likely why he dropped from #21 in last year's rankings. His AHL scoring says that he'd be best served as a defensive player in the NHL, but the Senators likely don't need more bottom-six players. At the end of 2015-16 he will be an RFA. With many younger players with higher ceilings coming through, it's possible that the Sens cut their losses and don't qualify him next year unless he shows significant growth in his game.