Prospect Info: 2023 1st Rd Selection - #28 OA (via BOS, WSH) - C, Easton Cowan [London Knights, OHL; [Height 5.11 -- Weight 185]

[The Masters]

 

[RoadWarrior]

If I had to take a wild guess right now, I could see Minten as a very good top 6 complimentary winger one day. Physical, likes to shoot, would be a great wingman for our core group.

Cowan will make it to the show as a C, just not sure if he's a Point, a Pageau, or a Kampf.

Minten isn’t good enough to be a top line winger in the CHL right now and his skating needs big improvements before he turns pro.

I like Cowen better as a prospect even though he was a reach.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Minten isn’t good enough to be a top line winger in the CHL right now and his skating needs big improvements before he turns pro.

I like Cowen better as a prospect even though he was a reach.

Who was your top pick for #28, of the players remaining?

Call your shot!

 

[Stand Witness]

Ill have to see if I can get confirmation on this, but I believe he actually played the playoffs banged up - potentially a shoulder injury too.

 

[Al14]

Stupid is as stupid does !!! Shanahan needs to be FIRED !!!

Cowan sure to hell WAS NOT the best player available at 28 !!!

I just hope this kid proves us all wrong. I doubt he does.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Not sure if my content has been posted yet in this thread, but thought that I'd share my thoughts.

I actually really like this pick. I was told that he was going to go high and that definitely came to fruition. If the Leafs liked Cowan, they had to take him here because there were a few teams really high on him.

One thing that I always look for in draft eligible players is strong finishes to the season. It's a precursor to positive devlopment in future years. From start to finish, Cowan was one of the most improved players in the entire OHL. He started the year as strictly a complimentary, high energy guy, with Denver Barkey really driving play on that line. But as the year went on, Cowan developed confidence in his playmaking and play creaton ability, taking over shifts with the puck. By the time the playoffs rolled around, he was London's best player and the production shows that. He was now the primary play driver, with Barkey kind of fading to that complimentary role. Obviously Ryan Winterton helped that line too with his strength on the puck and ability to keep plays alive down low. But my point remains.

Maybe Cowan is no more than a solid third line piece. But...there's also a significant chance that his game continues to develop and he can become a very useful and versatile middle six piece and fan favourite.

Here's a bit more info on him for you:

Final Media/Scout Top 10 for 2023

A week before the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, the final media/scout poll for 2023 is complete! For comparison's sake, here was the prelimin...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft - Part 2: 30-11

Here's part two of my rankings release: the players ranked from 30 to 11. 11. Andrew Gibson - Defense - Soo Greyhounds I would be absolutel...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

I don’t disagree with anything you’re saying here. He was listed as a possible draft steal.

That being said I’m not convinced that his upside is better than a Nadeau or a Gulyayev. Heidt is another guy with elite skills that was still available.

If you are targeting middle six character players then Cowen was a great pick. If you want a top line asset then probably not.

Treliving said before that talent is hard to find but the leafs just passed on some in my opinion.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Konecny was loved off the top of my head. Lawson Crouse too. Not stars but effective players. I'm sure there are tons of misses along the way. But, those are all farm kids or from farming areas.

To be honest, I'm more optimistic about the Knight's development and his opportunities to expand his role next year.

Okay, but who is this one star we passed on? One name. I don't want a shotgun approach. We only pick one player. Call your shot if you are so confident we passed on a potential 80 point player who has your definition of top-line ability.

I think the odds of getting a play-driving first liner is way lower than you think. And, 3rd wheels who play games that compliment star players are of more value than you are giving them. It's not about collecting the most possible individually talented guys and hoping it works out. We saw that when we tried Kapanen on top lines. He may drag up a 3rd line but his game drags down 1st and 2nd line guys. Which is why hard working guys who can forecheck, with good IQ and some skill tend to work out well in that role.

I’ve answered this question multiple times already but Nadeau and Gulyayev could be future stars. Heidt has an elite skill set.

any one of them would be better first round picks than Cowen.

there were also numerous safer picks on the board like David Edstrom. A big Swedish centre who has a great two way game.

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[Warden of the North]

I admit I love every adjective attached to this player.

Wait til certain radio hosts hit the airwaves this afternoon and youll hear " small, soft, undersized". It doesn't matter if those are accurate or not, the narrative is already being written.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Let’s just hand over the draft to Marner. The team is already grabbing their ankles for him as it is.

 

[93LEAFS]

I’ve answered this question multiple times already but Nadeau and Gulyayev could be future stars. Heidt has an elite skill set.

any one of them would be better first round picks than Cowen.

there were also numerous safer picks on the board like David Edstrom. A big Swedish centre who has a great two way game.

You aren't answering the question though. You are hedging your bets by naming multiple players. I want one specific player. Who do you take at 28? You can't pick 3 different guys. Who of those players do you take because you think there is a realistic probability they become an 80 point player.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Wait til certain radio hosts hit the airwaves this afternoon and youll hear " small, soft, undersized". It doesn't matter if those are accurate or not, the narrative is already being written.

Cowen isn’t soft by any stretch. He just isn’t overly skilled either.

 

[The Podium]

Stupid is as stupid does !!! Shanahan needs to be FIRED !!!

Cowan sure to hell WAS NOT the best player available at 28 !!!

I just hope this kid proves us all wrong. I doubt he does.

These strong overreactionary opinions are never taken seriously.

Take a breath and realize that we really won’t know who the BPA is at 28 for 5 years

 

[RoadWarrior]

You aren't answering the question though. You are hedging your bets by naming multiple players. I want one specific player. Who do you take at 28? You can't pick 3 different guys. Who of those players do you take because you think there is a realistic probability they become an 80 point player.

Nadeau would’ve been my pick at 28. He dominated the BCHL at age 17 and is going the US college route. His skill set is elite and he could play on a first PP unit in the NHL. Probably a better skater than Cowen as well.

Gulyayev is a close second at 28.

 

[Marlow88]

Is Cowan a centre or a winger? From the draft profiles, most list him as a winger.

 

[The Podium]

Nadeau would’ve been my pick at 28. He dominated the BCHL at age 17 and is going the US college route. His skill set is elite and he could play on a first PP unit in the NHL. Probably a better skater than Cowen as well.

Gulyayev is a close second at 28.

Funny, from the very little I know about this draft Nadeau is exactly the guy I wanted the Leafs to stay away from.

The problem with these small offensive players is those picks have to hit beyond their potential to be worth the draft selection. Getting a middle six sniper who can’t do much else ultimately end up being AHL/NHL tweeners who can put up 40-50 points but ultimately never cement themselves as core pieces on their respective teams.

To me, by the time these guys hit we are likely at the tail end of the Matthews/Marner careers and at that point the Leafs will be rebuilding. I’d rather get true elite talent at the top of the draft rather than gamble on the next kucherov that has next to no chance hitting that potential.

 

[93LEAFS]

Nadeau would’ve been my pick at 28. He dominated the BCHL at age 17 and is going the US college route. His skill set is elite and he could play on a first PP unit in the NHL. Probably a better skater than Cowen as well.

Gulyayev is a close second at 28.

He's good and I wouldn't have had an issue with him, but a lot of the high-performing BCHL guys haven't exactly translated recently, and even highly drafted ones like Turris never quite hit (but if you get a Kyle Turris at 28 you'd be ecstatic). Jost and Newhook have been disappointments. I just think you are overselling those guys, and not really appreciating what Cowan's brings. To be honest, it's highly unlikely anyone even if you take the field of everyone between 25-32 becomes a star. That's just the reality of the NHL draft. Generally, if you land a productive middle-6 NHLer who brings value you did well in that range.

But, I do think, you are underselling the value of guys like Hyman and Bunting. Yes, they benefit from linemates, but their is a reason guys love playing with those players. They make their lives easier. When Matthews/Tavares were closer as players, the best line we had tended to be whichever Hyman was on, since those two automatically had one of Nylander or Marner, but struggled to play at the same level with the rotating cast of LWers we tried with them (Kapanen, Johannson, Marleau, etc).

Is Cowan a centre or a winger? From the draft profiles, most list him as a winger.

Likely a winger in the NHL. His forechecking abilities and overall skill-set profile better there.

 

[Mess]

When you're been named after a Hockey Stick you definitely have a predetermined hockey future.

 

[LeafGrief]

If you follow the draft in the past, there have been countless players who have grown an inch or two after they were drafted. Just off the top of my head, Mike Modano grew from 6-1 to 6-3. Trevor Linden grew from 6-2 to 6-4. Kadri grew from 5-11 to 6. McDavid grew from 6 to 6-1. Evangelista grew from 5-11 to 6, .... I can probably name you hundreds more.

Of course there are others who don't grow. So I am just pointing to the factors that seem to suggest this guy is more likely among those who grow 1 to 2 inches than those who don't.

Everyone grows an inch when they get their stats entered into NHL.com. It's hardly a secret that they pump up everyone's size.

People who actually grow, Modano probably did if he grew 2 inches, DO happen, but it's quite rare. Seriously, these are teenage boys and most teenage boys are done growing by the time they're 17-18. I think we've all known plenty of teenage boys in our lives, and growth spurts at that age are very rare. I don't remember a single friend, relative, or peer, growing substantially after high school. If anything, the only candidate I can think of is my cousin who didn't start growing until he was like 14, he's probably got another inch to go because he was an ultra-late bloomer.

 

[AuraSphere]

Who was your top pick for #28, of the players remaining?

Call your shot!

Nadeau, Edstrom, Cristall, and my sleeper pick matthew mania

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Everyone grows an inch when they get their stats entered into NHL.com. It's hardly a secret that they pump up everyone's size.

People who actually grow, Modano probably did if he grew 2 inches, DO happen, but it's quite rare. Seriously, these are teenage boys and most teenage boys are done growing by the time they're 17-18. I think we've all known plenty of teenage boys in our lives, and growth spurts at that age are very rare. I don't remember a single friend, relative, or peer, growing substantially after high school. If anything, the only candidate I can think of is my cousin who didn't start growing until he was like 14, he's probably got another inch to go because he was an ultra-late bloomer.

Anecdotally, I had my growth spurt at about 16, then oddly enough, grew another 2 inches between 18 and 22. Measurements coming from medical checkups, not just amateur hour.

Nadeau, Edstrom, Cristall, and my sleeper pick matthew mania

Outside of Nadeau, those 3 were all guys I hoped for too.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

When you're been named after a Hockey Stick you definitely have a predetermined hockey future.

View attachment 723385

Lol

Hi 5

 

[thusk]

Cowen isn’t soft by any stretch. He just isn’t overly skilled either.

The most important thing is not skills, its hockey QI... Having elite skill without hockey QI, who will not able to use it in NHL

Having less skill bit high hockey QI, you can be an impactful player

The best exemple i can give you is Patrice Bergeron who are not an elite skilled player but hes probably the smartest player in NHL. Hes always at the right spot at the right time, he rarely make mistake, he saw the play coming to him before its happening, hes reading prefectly whats his opponent trying to do as much offensivly than defensivly.

 

[francis246]

This pick reminds me a little of Calgary taking Mark Jankowski in 2012. Really late bloomer but Jay Feaster and staff felt with time Jankowski would become an NHLer.

Took Jankowski time but he did become an NHLer. He’s not been a full time NHLer but he’s been serviceable.

But I think Cowan’s got more offensive upside though he’s smaller.

 

[LeafGrief]

Nadeau, Edstrom, Cristall, and my sleeper pick matthew mania

Four guys ain't calling your shot.

Seven, two, or three ball in the top left, bottom right, or middle right pockets. Easy.