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

[Leaf Fans]

Robertson also looked good and we know how that turned out

It is turning out just fine.

 

[Hugh Mongusbig]

He has top 6 upside but he hasn’t looked good so far this preseason. Doesn’t seem like a skill issue though I think it’s nerves.

Very disappointing showing so far in the preseason games to date. He’s looked overwhelmed and pretty much invisible.

Nerves are probably getting the better of him but would love to see him to turn it around in the remaining games. Either way, he will be really good player for us one day. Just not looking like he’s quite there yet.

Yeah, underwhelmed and invisible so far to be fair, but that should be expected when you have a 19yo kid playing against men for the first time. Biggest thing that jumped out to me was his lack of speed advantage at the NHL level. In juniors, he was faster than most kids on the ice... not so much at the NHL level where just about everyone is now above average skaters too. Just needs to mature, continue to work on his strength and skating. The skill is there. The IQ is there. You see the flashes. The total package just isn't quite ready to compete against men on a nightly basis yet. just need a little time until he can put it all together against men and be able to do it consistently.

I do agree that the CHL/AHL rules sucks for some of these kids. I think he needs to keep playing against men at this point, not kids. Not sure where he can do that though... it appears it wont' be in the AHL for another season.

Going back to London wouldn't be the end of the world. It's a top notch organization that churns out future NHL'ers. The Hunters know how to develop players that play the right way. He'll be just fine if he does have to go back there. I just don't think he has much left to gain by continuing to play kids at this point.

 

[Peasy]

Put him back in junior. Please dont do this dragged out, play a game in the nhl here and there with only 10 mins a night. Then in a month and a half send him to the AHL for a conditioning stint, then have him shit for a few more weeks before going to the WJC, and then to just ultimately send him back to junior. PLEASE dont do this. I cant stand when teams do this shit. If you know he is not going to be here in the new year, then just rip the band-aid off and send him back to junior.

 

[Gallagbi]

Put him back in junior. Please dont do this dragged out, play a game in the nhl here and there with only 10 mins a night. Then in a month and a half send him to the AHL for a conditioning stint, then have him shit for a few more weeks before going to the WJC, and then to just ultimately send him back to junior. PLEASE dont do this. I cant stand when teams do this shit. If you know he is not going to be here in the new year, then just rip the band-aid off and send him back to junior.

Why not get him a few extra bucks and time playing/practicing against Men?

 

[hullsy47]

He’s not quite ready - but don’t agree with overwhelmed and invisible. Not true at all.

He needs to play with players who see the game .robbie played a nice game but is tunnelvisioned
But he puts pucks on net

 

[ULF_55]

Put him back in junior. Please dont do this dragged out, play a game in the nhl here and there with only 10 mins a night. Then in a month and a half send him to the AHL for a conditioning stint, then have him shit for a few more weeks before going to the WJC, and then to just ultimately send him back to junior. PLEASE dont do this. I cant stand when teams do this shit. If you know he is not going to be here in the new year, then just rip the band-aid off and send him back to junior.

If he isn't ready send him down.
But this doesn't seem to have hurt this guy.

 

[stats1]

If he isn't ready send him down.
But this doesn't seem to have hurt this guy.

View attachment 911057

You’re first mistake was comparing Cowan to one of this generations best goal scorers

 

[ULF_55]

You’re first mistake was comparing Cowan to one of this generations best goal scorers

the point gentlemen is that they lived - Google Suche

The point gentleman, is that he was not ready.

 

[Roo]

Clearly not ready from my perspective, but what do I know. Another year in junior and maybe some time in the AHL will help. He's still a late first rounder so not exactly unsurprising.

 

[ITM]

Clearly not ready from my perspective, but what do I know. Another year in junior and maybe some time in the AHL will help. He's still a late first rounder so not exactly unsurprising.

If its good enough for Willy...

 

[Skullz]

I think we're forgetting he was a late 1st round pick a year ago and seen as a reach.

He had a fantastic season, but almost everybody in his position takes two years in junior.

 

[Sypher04]

If its good enough for Willy...

Not really similar situations at all

 

[ITM]

Not really similar situations at all

The previous poster included a comment that endorsed spending time in the AHL. For the informed and mindful that that won't happen until next year for Cowan, and presuming the poster knew and most reading would, I provided the open-ended comment.

My comment is isolated to my thought echoing the previous poster's comment that development is a good thing for Cowan.

That's it. The comment stands on its own and doesn't need be articulated in a granular fashion for the randos.

 

[Menzinger]

He's heading back down, just a matter of when.

Too many other bodies and he didn't separate himself enough from the pack. He's likely going to be a fantastic player for the Leafs, just needs a bit more cooking time

 

[Its not your fault]

I honestly have barely paid attention to this draft so won't have any major opinion.

Seems like he's a project, which I don't mind. Some draft people on social media don't seem to be fans though.

Will give the guy a fair chance either way

Great idea

 

[Donnie740]

Cowan needs to bulk up and get stronger in addition to improving his skating.

The Leafs have had way too many undersized and mediocre skating forwards over the past half decade.

 

[Budz]

I remember half of our fanbase penciling him onto the second line last March.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Put him back in junior. Please dont do this dragged out, play a game in the nhl here and there with only 10 mins a night. Then in a month and a half send him to the AHL for a conditioning stint, then have him shit for a few more weeks before going to the WJC, and then to just ultimately send him back to junior. PLEASE dont do this. I cant stand when teams do this shit. If you know he is not going to be here in the new year, then just rip the band-aid off and send him back to junior.

You’re acting as if he’s some kind of shrinking violet. Cowan is a tough kid both mentally and physically. The more experience he gets with veteran players the better. Tell him he will get 9 games then send him to the WJC to dominate. If he somehow manages to stick after 9 games great but more than likely he’s going back to junior.

 

[ULF_55]

He's heading back down, just a matter of when.

Too many other bodies and he didn't separate himself enough from the pack. He's likely going to be a fantastic player for the Leafs, just needs a bit more cooking time

Yeah, I was surprised how overwhelmed he has been.

Wonder if he worked too much in adding bulk over the summer.

He looks slow.

 

[SprDaVE]

He's heading back down, just a matter of when.

Too many other bodies and he didn't separate himself enough from the pack. He's likely going to be a fantastic player for the Leafs, just needs a bit more cooking time

Flyers returned Bonk and Barkey as well. So the Knights are going to be a hell of a team. Not sure if Dickinson made Sharks though.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Flyers returned Bonk and Barkey as well. So the Knights are going to be a hell of a team. Not sure if Dickinson made Sharks though.

I believe he was sent back.

 

[SprDaVE]

I believe he was sent back.

Yeah I just read he got sent back.

The Knights are going to really tear up the OHL, all 5 of those guys (with O'Reilly) are going to be playing a ton. Cowan can definitely keep working on his strength and playing more like an NHLer with attention to detail.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Yeah I just read he got sent back.

The Knights are going to really tear up the OHL, all 5 of those guys (with O'Reilly) are going to be playing a ton. Cowan can definitely keep working on his strength and playing more like an NHLer with attention to detail.

Luke Fox got some interesting insight on Cowan in his most recent article;


He's built a bit different which I like.

 

[ULF_55]

Luke Fox got some interesting insight on Cowan in his most recent article;


He's built a bit different which I like.

View attachment 912453

Proof read maybe?

 

[Peasy]

Luke Fox got some interesting insight on Cowan in his most recent article;


He's built a bit different which I like.

View attachment 912453

Good attitude. Cant believe the amount of people that think most 19 year olds cant learn and continue to grow in the CHL. Youve had a taste of the NHL. You should be aware of things you can get away with in Junior but cant at this level. Work on eliminating those things from your game.