Taking a Look at how Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Are Doing in Their Playoffs
While the Toronto Maple Leafs are finishing up their regular season over the next week, they have some of their top prospects in the midst of their junior and NCAA playoff runs.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs don't have a great prospect pool, some of their players have come along nicely this year and they look to be starting to take advantage of some good drafting in recent years.
Once their playoffs are over, Leafs fans may be able to see some of these top prospects joining the Toronto Marlies to help with their development and give some reinforcements for a playoff drive.
Here is a look at some of the organizations top prospects and where their seasons are currently at:
Taking a Look at how Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Are Doing in Their Playoffs
Easton Cowan - London Knights (OHL)
Easton Cowan and the London Knights took down the Ontario Hockey League regular season crown with 104 points in 68 games after a 50-14-4 and as such, drew the Flint Firebirds in the first round of the OHL playoffs.
Cowan and his teammates made quick work of their Michigan opponents by sweeping the series in four games, which the Maple Leafs 2023 first round pick collected five points.
The Knights are currently in a holding pattern as they are waiting to see who the victor of the Kitchener Rangers and Erie Otters series will be.. The Rangers currently hold a 3-2 series lead with Game 6 going Tuesday night and if Erie can win that game the series would be extended to a Game 7 which will be held on Wednesday night.
The London Knights are likely to make a deep playoff run with a strong shot at making the Memorial Cup, it is unlikely you'll see Cowan with the Marlies this season.
Fraser Minten - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
One year older than Cowan, Fraser Minten was a second round pick by the Maple Leafs in 2022 and had a strong showing in training camp last fall leading to four NHL games to start the season.
Minten was traded early in the season by his junior club in Kamloops to the Saskatoon Blades and would captain Team Canada at the World Junior Championships this past New Year's.
Like Cowan, Minten helped lead his team to a regular season title as the Blades led the Western Hockey League with 105 points thanks to a 50-13-5 record.
In their first round series, the Blades would need five games to eliminate the Prince Albert Raiders from the playoffs with Minten registering a team high +8 to go with four points .
The second round starts this upcoming weekend with the Blades hosting the Red Deer Rebels on Friday night to open the series. Like Cowan, the Blades are setup for a deep playoff run and fans may be able to watch the two top offensive prospects square off for the Memorial Cup.
Noah Chadwick - Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
The Maple Leafs used their 2023 sixth round selection to draft 6'4" defenseman Noah Chadwick from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Chadwick nearly tripled his point total from his draft year as he jumped from 20 to 56 points. His Hurricanes were knocked out to the playoffs very quickly as they were swept by the Switft Current Broncos in four games which ended a week ago.
The Saskatoon native has already taken the opportunity to continue his development and has joined the Toronto Marlies.
Cade Webber - Boston University (NCAA)
If you don't know who Cade Webber is you could be forgiven as GM Brad Treliving acquired him at the trade deadline just over a month ago for a sixth round selection in 2026. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Webber is a 6'7" defenseman that brings no offence to his game as he has collected just one goal over four seasons with Boston University, however, he is known as a shot blocking machine that is defensively responsible.
He is in his final season at college and can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if the Maple Leafs can't sign him. Webber's BU Terriers advanced to the Frozen Four and will play against Denver University on Thursday night, which can be seen on ESPN2 or ESPN+.
If Boston University can win on Thursday they would play for the National Championship on Sunday against the winner of Boston College and the University of Michigan. (stats eliteprospects.com).
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Webber has voiced that his intentions are to sign an entry level contract with the Maple Leafs once his college season is over, which will either be Thursday or Sunday.