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

[Future]

I didn't watch it all, but that missed back door tap in was brutal in the first (selfish) and he followed it up with a bunch of forced passes into sticks/skates for most of that period. Just bad awareness, bad decision making and poor execution.

He was one of the more frustrating players because you saw signs of potential and he just kept forcing things over and over

Thought he started out strong in the pre-tournament and game 1. Then got worse as the tournament progressed. Mistakes seemed to spiral and I think the social media hate got to him. Seemed to have posted about it, and he’s stated before he likes to read negative comments because it “fuels” him.

Don’t think that worked out for him and he’s got to learn after playing on a big stage here that he needs to adopt a better strategy playing in Toronto. People automatically hate you because of the team you play for, and if you play poorly, your own fans will insult you and demand for you to be traded.

The potential is there for him to be a complimentary difference maker on the level of a Knies, maybe even better, but he’s got to clean some things up and figure how to lock in mentally.

 

[The Shadow]

The worst Canada jr team I’ve ever seen.

 

[Gallagbi]

Thought he started out strong in the pre-tournament and game 1. Then got worse as the tournament progressed. Mistakes seemed to spiral and I think the social media hate got to him. Seemed to have posted about it, and he’s stated before he likes to read negative comments because it “fuels” him.

Don’t think that worked out for him and he’s got to learn after playing on a big stage here that he needs to adopt a better strategy playing in Toronto. People automatically hate you because of the team you play for, and if you play poorly, your own fans will insult you and demand for you to be traded.

The potential is there for him to be a complimentary difference maker on the level of a Knies, maybe even better, but he’s got to clean some things up and figure how to lock in mentally.

The hate/fuel is interesting. I'm sure his initial lens was from opposing fans getting on him, but when your own turn on you it's quite different

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

He played so out of character I have to believe he's nursing an injury. Night and day difference between him on London and him this year with team Canada.

Oh well, tournament's over, again. Hope this disappointment doesn't weigh on him and he can focus on his own game and what he can control.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Cowan had terrible tournament. No way to sugar coat it.

He was OK. He had a bad game against team USA, but was one of the few Canadian players to show any compete in the tournament. I have to say I expected a better showing.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Was not very good and needs two AHL seasons. No reason he should be here if not ready.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

He will be a full time leaf some day and he will be near elite.

This Canada team of multiwarts is not his cross to bear...

 

[Ianturnedbull]

The worst Canada jr team I’ve ever seen.

Did you see that winning goal by Czechia? That kind of goal cannot go in if want to advance. Brutal.

 

[LeafsNet]

It's all Cowan's fault according to the trolls in the NHL prospects sub

 

[Budz]

The funny thing is - half the people who are losing their minds in here - are same ones who were penciling him into our 2nd line, prior to Leaf’s camp.

Nothing has changed. Say it again….

He is a high effort player, who will be a middle 6 winger in the NHL. He’s not gonna score 35 goals/year, he’s not gonna have 60 assists in a year. He plays 200 feet, defensively responsible with only slightly above average skills /traits. He is NOT elite.

Needs time to bake still and until then, lots of people in here need to learn hockey.

Effing embarrassing takes in here.

 

[Future]

The hate/fuel is interesting. I'm sure his initial lens was from opposing fans getting on him, but when your own turn on you it's quite different

Might be cute in the OHL playing on the London Knights as the best player and winning all of the time. Shutting up a crowd of a few thousand and a handful of haters online is probably a good feeling.

But when you have pure hatred coming from masses of people who are supposed to be supporting you, and they’re spreading hate all over TikTok, X, and IG + bullying you on your posts… it’s a completely different experience and I’d imagine overwhelming for a teenager. Feel bad for him because people are absolutely unhinged.

 

[hullsy47]

Cowan had terrible tournament. No way to sugar coat it.

Or maybe he was overhyped definitely took way too much crap on social media

Did you see that winning goal by Czechia? That kind of goal cannot go in if want to advance. Brutal.

Short sided goal .was kinda stinky IMO

 

[Peasy]

He played so out of character I have to believe he's nursing an injury. Night and day difference between him on London and him this year with team Canada.

Oh well, tournament's over, again. Hope this disappointment doesn't weigh on him and he can focus on his own game and what he can control.

I'm guessing he rushed himself back to playing after taking that massive hit in December.

 

[Nineteen67]

It has nothing to do with the pressure he will face with the Leafs. There are long lists of players who were amazing at the WJC and had little to no impact on the NHL and players who weren’t very good there and went on to have great NHL careers.

It’s too small of a sample size to draw the conclusions people do sometimes.

Unless the current team gets close to winning there wont be pressure to win by the time he gets there in a couple of years.

 

[Nineteen67]

Or maybe he was overhyped definitely took way too much crap on social media


Short sided goal .was kinda stinky IMO

I’ve never seen him play a game in London, but by all accounts he is dynamic in the OHL, but it didn’t translate well Tim this tourney.
One thing I noticed is they try too many trick plays and as Berube calls it “fancy stuff” that tend to get shut down.
Let’s hope he learns and becomes the Leafs Brayden Point.

 

[LeafsNet]

Main boards are a joke. He'll be fine, not a great tournament. A five game sample size doesn't slump two years of work.

Anyone remember the stars of this tournament Nic Petan, Joe Hicketts, and Michael Dipietro.

HF has become a meme on Discord and Reddit hockey subs. Anytime someone writes something mind numbing, you’ll often get a response like “stick to HF”…..these youngins roast well.

 

[jamo27]

I think this tournament is a wake up call. He may turn out to be a great nhl player, but he really didn’t look all that dynamic at this tournament. There have been many guys who dominated in the ohl and never became anything. He currently plays on a team which is frankly not at the same level as the others in its league. His point streak while impressive really has benefited from a bunch of luck at times as well making it meaningless. Let’s see if he continues to develop before we anoint him a spot on the teams top six.

 

[LeafSteel]

This has become an amusing thread.

Kid hasn’t had a cup of coffee in the NHL, is 19 years old, and people are expecting him to be a finished product NHL pro.

The takes of non-Leafs fans, I wash my arse with, but if you call yourself a Leaf fan and you are dumping on this kid……..give your head a shake.

He’s a 19 year old kid. World Juniors and how kids play in it doesn’t mean donkey crap.

 

[Warden of the North]

Team Canada galaxy brains itselfs again.

Get a list of players. Sort by points. Pick those players.

Done.

 

[uncleben]

His point streak while impressive really has benefited from a bunch of luck at times as well making it meaningless.

To be fair, you can't set a record like that without luck playing a factor.

 

[robertmac43]

I have said this on and off over the past year or so. Cowan is a great player, works hard, and will likely find his way in the NHL. Probably not as a star player, but as a solid third line guy.

That being said he is going to have a difficult time transitioning form this current London team, As a team they are so good; they play great systematic hockey which is rarer at the Junior level, they have depth everywhere, amazing defence, the list goes on. The team London currently has is honestly something special which pains me as a Kitchener fan.

Going from that kind of environment to the WJC team or Toronto is going to take some time to adjust to. This isn't a Marner level talent that is going to stick right away. Cowan is going to take more time.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

His point streak while impressive really has benefited from a bunch of luck at times as well making it meaningless.

Wtf?

 

[Al14]

It's all Cowan's fault according to the trolls in the NHL prospects sub

Well, Cowan failed to contribute anything much to a mostly losing Canadian juniors team! As a matter of fact, he did contribute, in his own stupid way, to at least 1 of the losses.

Our Leafs should trade this moron to acquire a much needed 2nd line centre.

 

[fahad203]

I have said this on and off over the past year or so. Cowan is a great player, works hard, and will likely find his way in the NHL. Probably not as a star player, but as a solid third line guy.

That being said he is going to have a difficult time transitioning form this current London team, As a team they are so good; they play great systematic hockey which is rarer at the Junior level, they have depth everywhere, amazing defence, the list goes on. The team London currently has is honestly something special which pains me as a Kitchener fan.

Going from that kind of environment to the WJC team or Toronto is going to take some time to adjust to. This isn't a Marner level talent that is going to stick right away. Cowan is going to take more time.

Very few playerws comes along that are Marner level. I thought Cowan was ok.
There has been many NHL players who has had horrible WJC only to become good players in NHL.

There has been so many players looked liked superstars only to flop. I wouldn't read too much into WJC performance

 

[TMLAM34]

Very mediocre tournament from Cowan. The entire team however was very mediocre to bad. Hockey Canada is definitely not the powerhouse it used to be.