IMO he's a pretty safe bet to become a Scott Laughton type, with maybe potential to be like a Pavel Zacha level player (fairly similar junior production). Certainly not a bad guy to have on the roster
) he presents as a person who is very self-aware of his strengths and shortcomings. He understands what he has to work on to get to the next level, and to succeed there. I'd suggest that indicates a player who will continue to improve, not just in the short term, but over the course of a career. He's a mature young man. During the video plays they were reviewing, at the 9:40 mark there was a subtle moment that I appreciated. During a breakout, initiated by Minten who was supporting his D in the corner, the puck moves up the opposite side boards for a potential zone exit. Minten, skating towards his blueline (center zone) from his earlier corner position, slows down to determine whether the puck exits the zone or is fumbled and hammered back into a dangerous position. He is aware of the moment and is not cheating for offense. When the puck is freed up ice, that's when he puts his head down to join the offensive foray, and contributes to the eventual goal scored on the play.Second round picks .u take anything above a 4th line ,first call up a bonusThanks for that. I am always intrigued listening to young players during an interview, especially something that is more than just a 2 or 3 question standard post game thing, and these 14 minutes gives us that. Two things stand out for me: while thoughtful and articulate (I wonder how long that will take to be beaten out of him
Talent takes you a long way in this game, and while I wouldn't suggest that Minten has a huge amount of talent, he does present - to me - as a prospect who will combine the talents he has and will continue to develop, with a mature, intelligent grasp of how to play a 'winning' game of hockey. Given his age, size, skills and experience, I hope to see Minten intro'd as our 3C, who will struggle in the first third of the season, but begin to adapt and succeed as the season progresses.
www.nhl.com
Because most places called him that predraft, including the NHL official sites.
28. Easton Cowan, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs2023 NHL Draft 1st-round pick signings tracker | NHL.com
Status of 32 players chosen in opening round
Does anyone know if Nikita Grebyonkin aka Nikita Grebenkin has an individual prospect info thread similar to Easton Cowan?
Gotta love Grebyonkin's intensity shown and willingness to fight for teammates in the video below (#71 in blue)
I truly feel like the Leafs prospect pool (especially top 3~ Cowan, Minten, Grebyonkin imho) is underrated league wide and dare I say it even by Leafs nationlol
I believe all 3 of these guys will be top 6 nhl forwards or better in the not so distant future
Grebyonkin just made captain of Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL at 20 years old (which is crazy). He was second in scoring on the team this season... the guy's a beast too... watch some khl playoffs and you'll see that it's just as rough, if not rougher then nhl playoffs, he also has better numbers (age 20 KHL year) than a few guys who are stars now in the nhl... but obviously only time will tell...
astrobackyard.com
He was honorary captain for the last game of the season, hes not the actual captain of Metallurg.
Fair point. I don't believe it tarnishing my view of him but thanks for letting me know
The honorary captaincy? I dont see any evidence to support that claim.
I only think they were just resting the regular guys for the last game of the season but have no idea otherwise.
So is it an honor to be named captain or not even if only the last game. I'm confused
I'm joking, it was a great honor, here is an article about it. Maple Leafs Top Prospect Becomes Youngest Captain of Historic Franchise
McMann, Knies, Grebs gives you complimentary players for the first three lines. You can then basically spread the more offensively talented players across the three lines.
What I dont believe in is telling guys they are stars before they are. I didnt say he wouldnt play. I said they arent all top 6 players. Cowan yes, for sure and likely soon. Minten ? No, tops out as great 3 C(and we may have over rated him). Grebs ? Needs to play in AHL for a bit. The Leafs are a winger factory, whose job do you see him stealing?
Minten may top out as a great 3C but not the kind you can find for cheap in free agency. He’ll be a 3C that you can match up against the other team’s top players and when one of our top centers get injured you are comfortable sliding him up the line up. That is someone I wish we had when Tavares went down in the Habs series.
Is it possible that when he was sent back to the OHL he was told to focus on his defensive game so that he can step into 3C next season for the Leafs? That's my copium. I don't follow prospects outside of reading this thread so no idea if he has at least excelled at being a shutdown player.
