The Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 first-round pick, Easton Cowan, is having an incredible sophomore season with the London Knights in the OHL. He is well on his way to surpassing his 2022-23 season totals.
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Easton Cowan in the 2023 NHL entry draft with the 28th overall pick.
When the Leafs made the selection, many said they were going off the board by drafting Cowan so early. They obviously saw something in him that they really liked and didn’t want to risk losing the opportunity to select him.
Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Update For Easton Cowan
Before getting drafted, Cowan registered 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points in 68 games last season for the London Knights.
He also recorded 21 points in 20 playoff games last season. Those stats are good, but many didn’t have Cowan being drafted until late into the second round or early in the third round. Hopefully, he will develop into the player the Leafs envisioned when they drafted him. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)
Cowan, already one of the Toronto Maple Leafs Top 10 Prospects, had a great showing at training camp in September before getting sent down to the OHL. I’m sure the Leafs told him what they’d like him to work on while he’s down there. So far, things are looking bright for Cowan.
He has eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points in 16 games. That puts him on pace for 32 goals and 75 assists for 107 points in 63 games this season. It’s incredible to think that he could double his points total from last season.
As impressive as he’s been, I still think Cowan will spend another season in the OHL next year. However, I think the Leafs will likely keep him for the nine games minimum to see how well he performs at the NHL level. He will be turning 19 in May, so if he’s not ready, there is no point in rushing him. Let him dominate at the OHL level, and then see if he has what it takes for the 2025-26 season.
At the time of this writing, Cowan is sitting 11th in OHL scoring, with 27 points, but has played the least number of games (16) than anyone else in the top 30. With that being said, even if he had played the same 22 games as Carson Rehkopf, I don’t think Cowan would have the same 44 points that Rehkopf does. The season is still young, so there is no telling what will happen.
Cowan and the London Knights next game will be Thursday Night against the North Bay Battalion.