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

[ACC1224]

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

Players would still need to be removed that aren’t waiver eligible.
Who do you see being removed and where do you see him playing?

 

[Divine]

Players would still need to be removed that aren’t waiver eligible.
Who do you see being removed and where do you see him playing?

Take out Robertson if he outplays him. Play him as a third liner than can move up depending on his play.

Also, Jarnkrok hasn't been in any games yet. He's not even scheduled until Game 3. If he's injured, he can take Jarnkrok's spot for now until a further decision is needed. Jarnkrok has been listed as day to day for now.

 

[supermann_98]

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.

As I recall Cowen had not yet even really broken out by the NHL trade deadline so you're probably right

 

[ACC1224]

Take out Robertson if he outplays him. Play him as a third liner than can move up depending on his play.

Also, Jarnkrok hasn't been in any games yet. He's not even scheduled until Game 3. If he's injured, he can take Jarnkrok's spot for now until a further decision is needed. Jarnkrok has been listed as day to day for now.

Robertson is probably not making the team either. They may have to go 11-7 to start.

 

[francis246]

Take out Robertson if he outplays him. Play him as a third liner than can move up depending on his play.

Also, Jarnkrok hasn't been in any games yet. He's not even scheduled until Game 3. If he's injured, he can take Jarnkrok's spot for now until a further decision is needed. Jarnkrok has been listed as day to day for now.

No, there’s no reason to burn a year off Cowans ELC especially given our tough cap situations. Robertson, Steeves are older and probably can hold the spot down for now.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Cowan wins the Calder and Smyth. Book it

 

[peconcan]

I can’t see him getting the 9 games this year at all, if he continues to produce all year in London and has another good camp next year I could for sure see it then. All the talk about it though got me thinking who was the last true 18 year old to make the team out of camp? I know it was Matthews first year eligibility to play but I’m not counting him because of his late birthday he was 19 before the start of the regular season

Edit: Alittle elite prospects research and the last 18 year old to get into regular season games was Drake Berehowsky in 90-91 and only 6 players have skated as 18 year olds for the Leafs since 80-81

 

[horner]

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.

Just shows that a 1st rd pk should never be traded for a rental.
This kid could be ready at 19 yrs old .
Treliving couldn't be on the draft floor but who says they didn't have discussions prior to the draft .

 

[francis246]

Just shows that a 1st rd pk should never be traded for a rental.
This kid could be ready at 19 yrs old .
Treliving could be on the draft floor but who says they didn't have discussions prior to the draft .

This 100%. You have to keep the pipeline growing. I look at a team like Columbus and think they are gonna be stacked A prospects on D and F

 

[tmlfan98]

I would say slim to none.

None. I watched the interview and that tweet is very misleading. Keefe didn't say that unprompted, someone followed up a question about how good Cowan played with if he will be in camp longer and he just said "yes"

How about now, still slim to none? And to be clear I wasn't talking about fully making the team, I was talking about giving him the 9 games before burning a year of his ELC. Keeping him in camp longer is a no brainer, would set a bad precedent to cut someone this early in camp who's been "one of the best players on the ice" almost every time he's out there.

 

[HockeyVirus]

How about now, still slim to none? And to be clear I wasn't talking about fully making the team, I was talking about giving him the 9 games before burning a year of his ELC. Keeping him in camp longer is a no brainer, would set a bad precedent to cut someone this early in camp who's been "one of the best players on the ice" almost every time he's out there.

Still 0. He isn't going to sit there and say "look with the cap there is 0 chance this kid makes it and we would lose someone we like on waivers". He is a coach, he is trying to squeeze something extra out of him by dangling the carrot to set him up for a strong season with London.

He isn't making the opening night roster and I am willing to bet on that. His best path is to dominate the OHL score 150 points, have a MVP playoff and come to camp next year trying to earn a job.

 

[Racer88]

Robertson is probably not making the team either. They may have to go 11-7 to start.

Ah yes……the cap structure of the leafs, the gift that keeps giving and giving.

 

[tmlfan98]

Still 0. He isn't going to sit there and say "look with the cap there is 0 chance this kid makes it and we would lose someone we like on waivers". He is a coach, he is trying to squeeze something extra out of him by dangling the carrot to set him up for a strong season with London.

He isn't making the opening night roster and I am willing to bet on that. His best path is to dominate the OHL score 150 points, have a MVP playoff and come to camp next year trying to earn a job.

Are you really that afraid of losing Bobby McMann on waivers? Because under both cap clearing scenarios (Jarnkrok out/Lafferty+Timmins out) McMann is the one who gets waived to make room for Cowan to get his 9 games.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Are you really that afraid of losing Bobby McMann on waivers? Because under both cap clearing scenarios (Jarnkrok out/Lafferty+Timmins out) McMann is the one who gets waived to make room for Cowan to get his 9 games.

We're talking about a scenario where Knies starts with the Marlies in order to be cap compliant day 1 and they can find a way to get him up. There isn't a chance Cowan is prioritized over Knies who is ready to play pro games vs an 18 year old who dominated prospects and a team of half AHLers half pros going at half intensity.

On top of that, when has the Leafs org shown a willingness to rush prospects under Shanny? We even sent Marner back to juniors. Last thing you want is to tell him he made the team, he struggles and it impacts his confidence, you send him to junior with the wrong mindset that he failed or wasn't good enough.

They will hype him up, let him stick as long as possible to be around NHLers and pick up some things, and then send him back with days to go and talk him up about how they think he can compete for a spot soon and all of that.

Want to make a friendly wager Cowan is not on the opening night roster?

 

[tmlfan98]

We're talking about a scenario where Knies starts with the Marlies in order to be cap compliant day 1 and they can find a way to get him up. There isn't a chance Cowan is prioritized over Knies who is ready to play pro games vs an 18 year old who dominated prospects and a team of half AHLers half pros going at half intensity.

On top of that, when has the Leafs org shown a willingness to rush prospects under Shanny? We even sent Marner back to juniors. Last thing you want is to tell him he made the team, he struggles and it impacts his confidence, you send him to junior with the wrong mindset that he failed or wasn't good enough.

They will hype him up, let him stick as long as possible to be around NHLers and pick up some things, and then send him back with days to go and talk him up about how they think he can compete for a spot soon and all of that.

Want to make a friendly wager Cowan is not on the opening night roster?

Knies only has to start with the Marlies if you're afraid of waiving Bobby McMann. Or...McMann gets waived and Knies and Cowan can both start the season with the team. Not sure why that shouldn't be seen as a possibility, unless again, you're deathly afraid of waiving Bobby McMann for some reason.

Also, giving Cowan 9 regular season games to see what he looks like in a non-exhibition setting isn't rushing a prospect, if that prospect was one of the best players on the team in preseason and deserves a further look.

 

[ACC1224]

How about now, still slim to none? And to be clear I wasn't talking about fully making the team, I was talking about giving him the 9 games before burning a year of his ELC. Keeping him in camp longer is a no brainer, would set a bad precedent to cut someone this early in camp who's been "one of the best players on the ice" almost every time he's out there.

Yes, nothing has changed that I know of.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Knies only has to start with the Marlies if you're afraid of waiving Bobby McMann. Or...McMann gets waived and Knies and Cowan can both start the season with the team. Not sure why that shouldn't be seen as a possibility, unless again, you're deathly afraid of waiving Bobby McMann for some reason.

Also, giving Cowan 9 regular season games to see what he looks like in a non-exhibition setting isn't rushing a prospect, if that prospect was one of the best players on the team in preseason and deserves a further look.

Not sure where you are getting your facts from but it is no that simple. The team will likely be starting with only 11 forwards on the roster and 7 D due to the cap. We have

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
Domi - Nylander - Jarnkrok
Knies - Tavares - Lafferty
Kampf - Reaves

This also doesn't include Robertson who is also further ahead and might get a look. McMann is not even in the picture. Who on the roster do we lose to waivers to give 9 games to Cowan?

 

[supermann_98]

Still 0. He isn't going to sit there and say "look with the cap there is 0 chance this kid makes it and we would lose someone we like on waivers". He is a coach, he is trying to squeeze something extra out of him by dangling the carrot to set him up for a strong season with London.

He isn't making the opening night roster and I am willing to bet on that. His best path is to dominate the OHL score 150 points, have a MVP playoff and come to camp next year trying to earn a job.

I think we may need to temper our expectations somewhat. The kid didn’t even scratch a ppg last season.

 

[tmlfan98]

Not sure where you are getting your facts from but it is no that simple. The team will likely be starting with only 11 forwards on the roster and 7 D due to the cap. We have

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
Domi - Nylander - Jarnkrok
Knies - Tavares - Lafferty
Kampf - Reaves

This also doesn't include Robertson who is also further ahead and might get a look. McMann is not even in the picture. Who on the roster do we lose to waivers to give 9 games to Cowan?

Most likely either Jarnkrok or Lafferty+Timmins is traded before opening night (unless Leafs get a preseason LTIR injury like last season) to allow the Leafs to run 12/7 and avoid having zero spares on the roster.

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Lafferty or Jarnkrok
Domi-Nylander-Cowan
Gregor/McMann-Kampf-Reaves

Rielly-Brodie
McCabe-Klingberg
Giordano-Liljegren
Timmins or Benoit/Lagesson

This is an entirely realistic 12/7 scenario where Cowan can get a 9 game look before a final decision is made on him, while also avoiding going 12/6 or 11/7 with no spares. Robertson being further ahead of Cowan is probably something we're going to have to agree to disagree on. Robertson is pretty much dog s*** at 5v5. Will probably end up as a power play merchant on a basement team where PP1 minutes are available to him, which isn't the Leafs.

 

[Razz]

Cowan is having quite the camp and is making things interesting. He came into camp with no chance whatsoever, but if he continues to avoid being cut, you never know what may happen.

The kid making the most of this opportunity, that's for sure. Pretty much becoming the main story of this preseason so far. He is unlikely to make the team, for certain but his stock is rising fast.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I think we may need to temper our expectations somewhat. The kid didn’t even scratch a ppg last season.

I think he can do it, but I know it is a tall ask. Depends on if his ending to the season continues down there and he can keep momentum from camp. I expect him to push for a job next training camp. Whether he gets it or goes to the Marlies we will see.

Most likely either Jarnkrok or Lafferty+Timmins is traded before opening night (unless Leafs get a preseason LTIR injury like last season) to allow the Leafs to run 12/7 and avoid having zero spares on the roster.

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Lafferty or Jarnkrok
Domi-Nylander-Cowan
Gregor/McMann-Kampf-Reaves

Rielly-Brodie
McCabe-Klingberg
Giordano-Liljegren
Timmins or Benoit/Lagesson

This is an entirely realistic 12/7 scenario where Cowan can get a 9 game look before a final decision is made on him, while also avoiding going 12/6 or 11/7 with no spares. Robertson being further ahead of Cowan is probably something we're going to have to agree to disagree on. Robertson is pretty much dog s*** at 5v5. Will probably be a power play merchant on a basement team where PP1 minutes are available to him, which isn't the Leafs.

I have to disagree with you heavily here. It would be awful asset management to trade NHLers, especially cheap ones like Jarnkrok (20 goals) or Lafferty(who we just paid to get last year) just to see if maybe he can stick. If he doesn't, then what we call up a Marlie and weaken our lineup and have to address a depth piece at the TDL.

What if we get a massive injury right after. We trade these guys, Cowan fizzles out after 3 games, and Nylander or Bertuzzi go down for a month. Now we have AHLers on our 4th line and likely Kampf as our 3rd line center and the team is way less dangerous.

I just don't see how it makes any sense to put ourselves in that position when the probable outcome is Cowan returns to the knights.

 

[tmlfan98]

I have to disagree with you heavily here. It would be awful asset management to trade NHLers, especially cheap ones like Jarnkrok (20 goals) or Lafferty(who we just paid to get last year) just to see if maybe he can stick. If he doesn't, then what we call up a Marlie and weaken our lineup and have to address a depth piece at the TDL.

Trading Jarnkrok or Lafferty+Timmins aren't scenarios that are being discussed just because of Cowan. This has been seen as a likelihood for a while, for the main purpose of avoiding running 12/6 or 11/7 with zero spares on the roster.

 

[notbias]

Are you really that afraid of losing Bobby McMann on waivers? Because under both cap clearing scenarios (Jarnkrok out/Lafferty+Timmins out) McMann is the one who gets waived to make room for Cowan to get his 9 games.

Knies is likely in the minors if Cowan is playing.

Also, why do people want Jarnkrok out (or even Lafferty)? We are downgrading our team and getting rid of one of the last players who plays well in his own end for a 9 game audition?

Not sure Jarnkrok or Lafferty are going anywhere.

On another note, if we are giving anyone an audition, let it be Robertson or Holmberg.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I think we may need to temper our expectations somewhat. The kid didn’t even scratch a ppg last season.

Nothing is tempered around here. Look where the thread started (for some) and look where we are now.

 

[ACC1224]

Most likely either Jarnkrok or Lafferty+Timmins is traded before opening night (unless Leafs get a preseason LTIR injury like last season) to allow the Leafs to run 12/7 and avoid having zero spares on the roster.

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Lafferty or Jarnkrok
Domi-Nylander-Cowan
Gregor/McMann-Kampf-Reaves

Rielly-Brodie
McCabe-Klingberg
Giordano-Liljegren
Timmins or Benoit/Lagesson

This is an entirely realistic 12/7 scenario where Cowan can get a 9 game look before a final decision is made on him, while also avoiding going 12/6 or 11/7 with no spares. Robertson being further ahead of Cowan is probably something we're going to have to agree to disagree on. Robertson is pretty much dog s*** at 5v5. Will probably end up as a power play merchant on a basement team where PP1 minutes are available to him, which isn't the Leafs.

You can come up with many scenarios to give the kid 9 games but the likelihood of that occurring is very low, virtually non existent.