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

[acrobaticgoalie]

Dubas didn't draft Cowan, that was Brad Treliving as GM that approved the selection as his 1st draft selection as Leafs new GM.

Tree said himself that he had nothing to do with the draft or our lists. It would've been whoever the scouting staff had on their list all year

 

[Razz]

This kid has been a huge surprise and you have to love to see it. I suspect he'll be kept in camp as long as possible. This is a very good start for Treliving.

 

[fahad203]

Tree said himself that he had nothing to do with the draft or our lists. It would've been whoever the scouting staff had on their list all year

I don't think he would considering he didn't even have time to get names of our scouts
But it's also possible he has on Calgary's radar as well or talked about

I strongly doubt Flames would have drafted him at 16 though.

 

[ACC1224]

I don't think he would considering he didn't even have time to get names of our scouts
But it's also possible he has on Calgary's radar as well or talked about

I strongly doubt Flames would have drafted him at 16 though.

Safe to say that Treliving let the scouts make the pick and Dubas didn't trade Sandin knowing they'd draft Cowan with the pick.

 

[Mess]

Tree said himself that he had nothing to do with the draft or our lists. It would've been whoever the scouting staff had on their list all year

BT wasn't even allowed or able to sit Leafs draft table in fact (So he would have to say that regardless as per the terms in which Leafs hired him away from Calgary ) . But he was still the Leafs GM when the pick was made.

Dubas was already fired and drafting for the Pens at the time, so it seems pretty illogical to credit him for the Leafs selection in 2023, while working for another organization as the Pens used the #14 OA pick on Brayden Yager, while the Leafs drafted Cowan with the 28th pick of that 1st round,

Dubas can get credit after trading away all of Leafs own picks 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th to prop up Leafs playoff roster, but the pick used to draft Cowan came from the Sandin trade as a 1st round pick recaptured at the trade deadline.

 

[stickty111]

As mentioned, Dubas traded for the pick and since Treliving wasn't really allowed to be involved in the draft, it was definitely the leftover Dubas scouting stuff that wanted Cowan. Doubt Treliving had much input.

A lot of Dubas's good work happened in the draft, so I guess it's not surprising his final lasting impression on the team is draft related.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Kid picked up where he left off in Traverse City. Easily the best player on the ice last night for both teams.

I knew very little about him prior to the draft, but he really grabbed my attention when watching the Traverse City games. He was a clear standout there, and he seems to be doing the same at main camp.

I was under the impression that this kid was just a high compete energy player, but I had no clue about his speed and underrated skill. He showed a lot of patience last night with the puck, and made some pretty spectacular plays on entry. Whether it was a quick stop up and delay, or just a soft dish in between the defenders triangle. He has shown a bunch of those high skill, high IQ plays for several games now. I was not expecting that skill to shine at Traverse City, and I definitely didn't expect it to continue against men.

I think the thing I have been impressed with the most has been his willingness to go hard to the net. He uses his speed and body perfectly to drive hard to the net. He is not scared of the contact that will come from it. Not to mention I swear I saw him give a little shot back to Boko Imama after the whistle when he drove hard to the net at one point last night. Not exactly the guy he wants to get mixed up with, but my god, the stones he must have to even stand his ground there is a really really good sign. Thank god Boko didn't take it seriously, full credit to him for understanding the situation. But all n all, its really hard not to get excited about this kid. He has really impressed me

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Exceptional prospect.

Obviously a long road ahead but the foundational skills are there and surprisingly better than expected. His motor, skating, and positioning are tremendous for his age and I can see him becoming a menace on the ice in his prime.

He looks like a much better prospect than someone drafted at #28. The scouts nailed this one and hopefully he continues to develop in the coming years to fulfill that underlying potential.

 

[ACC1224]

Exceptional prospect.

Obviously a long road ahead but the foundational skills are there and surprisingly better than expected. His motor, skating, and positioning are tremendous for his age and I can see him becoming a menace on the ice in his prime.

He looks like a much better prospect than someone drafted at #28. The scouts nailed this one and hopefully he continues to develop in the coming years to fulfill that underlying potential.

They have a good history with London. You can bet they spoke to Hunter extensively when deciding on Cowan.

 

[Mess]

A goal an assist a penalty shot drawn and taken and 4 shots on net and +1 on the evening for the youngest player on the ice not a bad start.

 

[stickty111]

Tree said himself that he had nothing to do with the draft or our lists. It would've been whoever the scouting staff had on their list all year

Pretty much.

 

[Fogelhund]

Personally, I don't care who made the pick... he's our kid now, however that happened. Does it even matter how it came that we chose him?

 

[Avilaj07]

If Cowan continues to impress at camp, do you give him the 9 games and see how he does? I know it's extremely premature but if in 2 weeks he's just continued to impress, you have to atleast entertain the idea

 

[ACC1224]

Personally, I don't care who made the pick... he's our kid now, however that happened. Does it even matter how it came that we chose him?

He came highly recommended by Hunter.

If Cowan continues to impress at camp, do you give him the 9 games and see how he does? I know it's extremely premature but if in 2 weeks he's just continued to impress, you have to atleast entertain the idea

Brings up further cap problems.

 

[Avilaj07]

He came highly recommended by Hunter.

Brings up further cap problems.

Or allows us to move some players, for example Jarnkrok, Lafferty, etc

 

[ACC1224]

Or allows us to move some players, for example Jarnkrok, Lafferty, etc

They could do that anyway.

 

[Antropovsky]

He reminds me a bit of Kadri, looks a bit awkward skating, slight frame, but has offensive skills and tenacity. Of course the awkwardness could be because he's still a teenager.

If Cowan continues to impress at camp, do you give him the 9 games and see how he does? I know it's extremely premature but if in 2 weeks he's just continued to impress, you have to atleast entertain the idea

He looks like he could use some physical maturing first. No reason to rush him.

 

[Fogelhund]

Or allows us to move some players, for example Jarnkrok, Lafferty, etc

Even moving Jarnkrok, we end up with $1.6 in cap space and 20 players. Cowan's cap hit is $935k... you can only bring him up, so 21 man roster. If it's Holmberg/Robertson/Gambrell/Abruzzese/Gregor you can bring up two players for a 22 man roster.

 

[thusk]

Cowan making great look for sure but stay calm. Its a young guy who come here with no pressure playing against non-NHL player.

2 leafs dont need him so they dont need to rush him too soon. He having a great potentiel but right now do he can doing much more than jarnkrok, robertson or whatever to justify sacrify him over an other season of devopment with London? I dont think so, i prefer see him dominate in CHL, maybe in world junior cup, memorial cup and see whats happening...

I want him play when he will be 100% reasy for instant NHL impact

 

[Divine]

I don't understand why people say Cowan has no chance to make the team. If he earns it, give him the opportunity.

Ryan O'Rielly made the team as an 18 year old as a second round pick - I don't think that hurt his career.

 

[Menzinger]

Dubas didn't draft Cowan, that was Brad Treliving as GM that approved the selection as his 1st draft selection as Leafs new GM.

Formal contract stipulations actually prevented him from having any official input at the draft until after the first round had been finalized. A complicated situation to say the least

The simple reason why Leafs GM Brad Treliving is not with Toronto at the 2023 NHL Draft | Sporting News

This will be the Leafs' first NHL Draft with Treliving as general manager, but he won't be present at the draft table.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[kb]

As mentioned, Dubas traded for the pick and since Treliving wasn't really allowed to be involved in the draft, it was definitely the leftover Dubas scouting stuff that wanted Cowan. Doubt Treliving had much input.

Mess cannot under any circumstances give any credit to anyone he hates. Makes him look like a biased poster and mod, but he's not concerned about such trivial things. He's actively cheered against the Leafs the whole Dubas era.

 

[Menzinger]

Also worth noting the reactions around here to the pick were fairly lukewarm. So far so good as far the team's scouts showing it's okay to go beyond the public draft lists

 

[ACC1224]

I don't understand why people say Cowan has no chance to make the team. If he earns it, give him the opportunity.

Ryan O'Rielly made the team as an 18 year old as a second round pick - I don't think that hurt his career.

How much cap space did they have available for ROR?

 

[Divine]

How much cap space did they have available for ROR?

I don't understand your point. Cowan makes nearly league min, he helps our cap problems.