After selecting forward Easton Cowan in the first round of the 2023 NHL draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be
geniuses.
It’s beginning to look like the Toronto Maple Leafs made the right choice, even though it seemed like an
unconventional choice at the time.
For the most games in a row with a point, Cowan has set a new record for the London Knights.
On Sunday, March 17, he recorded two assists in the London Knights game, raising the record for the longest point
streak to 34 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Breaks Record:
In the first round of the 2023 NHL draft, Cowan was chosen by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the 28th overall pick.
The Leafs scouts liked what they saw, but I don’t think any other team had him as high as a first-round selection. In
68 games during his draft year, Cowan scored 20 goals and added 33 assists for 53 points. Undoubtedly impressive
figures, but nothing that really pops off the paper. The fact that the Leafs didn’t have another pick until the fifth
round is a big part of why they chose him so highly.
You have to put in the necessary effort to draft the player or players you truly want to draft. Cowan would have been
selected by another team in the second or third round had the Leafs not chosen him with the 28th overall pick.
However, after a year, the Leafs appear to have gotten a steal in selecting Cowan at 28th overall. In 52 games thus
far, Cowan has tallied 32 goals and 60 assists for 92 points. In 54 games, he is on track to score 95 points.
Despite how good Cowan has been this season, he is presently sixth in the OHL in scoring. If the Leafs opt to let
Cowan play one more OHL season before turning pro, I wouldn’t be shocked. That being said, a player who can
contribute to the team on an entry-level contract is priceless to a team attempting to win the Stanley Cup, therefore
he will probably be given every opportunity to succeed in a salary cap league.
The most likely scenario is that he plays one more year of junior hockey before being sent to the Toronto Marlies in
the AHL at the end of his 2024–25 OHL season, even if he would still be helpful to the Leafs if he is good enough.
When the 2025–2026 NHL season rolls around, Cowan ought to be fighting for a position on the Leafs’ roster.
With Matthew Knies, Fraser Minten, and Cowan, the Leafs have a bright future. Ideally, they’ll all three be
performing together soon.
