After weeks of speculation, the NHL’s trade deadline came and went without the Leafs making a major move to improve their current roster. Instead, general manager Brad Treliving was able to fortify the team’s depth with the additions of Ilya Lyubushkin, Joel Edmundson, and Connor Dewar in exchange for a handful of middle and late-round draft picks.
The additions the Leafs made ahead of the deadline may not mean much in the grand scheme of their ability to contend for a Stanley Cup this season, but holding onto premium assets and top prospects like Easton Cowan could help keep their window of contention open for years to come.
One of the biggest stories in Leaf Land this season, Cowan has gone from being labelled as a reach in the first round of last summer’s draft to becoming a dominant force in the OHL and one of the top prospects outside the NHL. He immediately made an impression in his first training camp with the Leafs last fall, and he has carried that momentum with him all season long, potentially accelerating his NHL timeline in the process.
After a pair of goals against Guelph on Wednesday, an assist against Sarnia on Friday, and a pair of helpers in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Kitchener, Cowan is now riding a 32-game point streak. According to Kevin Papetti of The Athletic and Maple Leafs Hot Stove, Cowan now trails only Alexander Radulov, Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard, Logan Stankoven, and Nikolaj Ehlers for the longest point streaks in the entire CHL since 2000 – pretty decent company for the youngster.
Easton Cowan extends his point streak to 30 games!!
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) March 7, 2024
For the season, Cowan is now up to 32 goals and 56 assists in just 50 games, but his prolific stat line is only part of the story. His impact has been felt in all three zones, with his combination of relentless puck pursuit and responsible defensive posture playing a pivotal role in London’s success. He has been a weapon on the powerplay, the most dangerous penalty killer in the OHL with 14 shorthanded points, and he is more than willing to engage physically.
#LeafsForever prospect Easton Cowan with a big hit pic.twitter.com/Mp4TgXdEyT
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) March 9, 2024
Cowan has been the heart and soul of the London Knights this season, and it isn’t difficult to envision him filling a similar role in the NHL sooner rather than later. It might take some time for the offensive production to translate, and he isn’t close to overtaking the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander anytime soon, but the style of play that has made him so effective in the OHL is one that should help him adjust to the pro ranks and become a fan favourite in short order.
Leaf fans may have been underwhelmed by what the team was able to accomplish at the deadline, but resisting the urge to cash out on the rapid ascent of their top prospect will pay dividends for years to come. Maybe it’s next season, or perhaps the following year, but Cowan is a player who appears to be a lock for the Leafs roster in the near future.
HILDEY SAID ♂️ pic.twitter.com/sCg4uWejBs
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) March 9, 2024
Grebyonkin had a really strong game. He was flying on the ice, and set up a few good chances outside of the assist. He took a big step forward this year in terms of goal scoring, but he's still more of a playmaker at heart. Here's another example:#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/muJwFzXmBM
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) March 9, 2024
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) March 9, 2024
Moldenhauer from Schifsky and Casey, a Michigan power-play goal! pic.twitter.com/hGHD3JxHem
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) March 9, 2024
Roni on the power play pic.twitter.com/73NcUd3csn
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) March 6, 2024
Noah Chadwick (No. 8) collected a pair of assists on Wednesday in a 5-1 win against Medicine Hat.
He now has twice as many assists (40) as he had points (20) last season. Up to a 4-game point streak.
Totals (WHL): 58 GP, 11 G, 51 PTS, +9, 125 SOG#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/tA0DRikYRK
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) March 7, 2024
Miettinen ➡️ Miettinen ➡️
The boys from Finland give the Huskies a 5-3 lead! #GoHuskies | #HuskyHockey pic.twitter.com/o94AlsmOb2
— St. Cloud State Men's Hockey (@SCSUHuskies_MH) March 9, 2024
Cade Webber sets a new record with 114 blocks in a season, the most since the NCAA started tracking blocks in 2012-13
— BU Hockey Stats (@BUHockeyStats) March 8, 2024
Statistics from EliteProspects.com & KHL.ru
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