The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking outside the organization for trade possibilities to fill the hole left by the departure of Mitch Marner, but the club may have the answer already in 2023 first-round pick and top prospect Easton Cowan. The 20-year-old winger succeeded where he previously failed last season, winning a Memorial Cup with the OHL’s London Knights, but he now will face the challenge of making the NHL right out of junior.
“I’m just worried about myself. I have a chance to get a job, and that’s up to me to go out there and show what I can do and play my game, Cowan said at the club’s Development Camp on Thursday. “(Camp is) still a couple months away, so I’m gonna take every day, day by day, and just getting better.”
Cowan had 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 17 postseason games and won the Memorial Cup MVP after a 69-point regular season with the Knights, but now is focused on getting his weight up to battle for an NHL roster spot. The Leafs appear open to give the young winger a long look at training camp to win a spot, but are taking a wait and see approach.
“Time will tell. That’s the question we’re all asking ourselves,” Leafs Asst GM Hayley Wickenheiser said. “The money’s on him that he’ll be fit enough and prepared enough. The experience, to be able to step in and play, we’ll see probably very quickly when camp starts.”
The 2023 top pick was held out of on-ice workouts at the Ford Performance Centre this week, along with teammate Landon Sim, because of their long season in junior.
“It took a lot out of me not to get out there, but it’s best for my development,” Cowan said. “(They) want me to stay off, get some workouts in, and get (my) weight up, and I’ll be back on the ice next week in London.”
The unrestricted free agent possibilities are slim, as Toronto native Jeff Skinner and Jack Roslovic appear to be the best oprions, but the chatter continues that GM Brad Treliving is looking to make a move to bolster the top-six, which could include Cowan, something that he does not think about since it is out of his control.
Cowan and ‘26 1st to the Flames for Kadri. Treliving can’t resist.
Not happening
Hi Mike, Congratulations on the new gig.
With regards to Cowan, I would not trade him. I have watched both Mitch Marner and Easton Cowan through their OHL careers. Cowan is every bit the player that Marner was in junior. In some aspects Cowan is even better, than Marner! They are similar players.
Consider that Marner at 28yrs is listed at 6.0 ft and 181 lbs. Cowan at 20yrs is 5’11” and already outweighs Marner at 185 lbs. Cowan has more heart and I don’t think top dollar is his main motivating factor. Comes from a rural hard working background and a good family that does not interfere with his career.
I would not trade Cowan unless the offer is over the top amazing. He is your Marner in waiting, and can do everything Marner can. The question is how quickly Cowan can adjust to the NHL game. He may some time in the AHL, but where are you going to find another Marner with a cap hit of $873,500. The Leafs and their fans just need a little patience. The upside on Cowan is just too great to trade him. IMO.
All the best.