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The Toronto Maple Leafs left a number of observers scrambling for information at the end of the first round of the NHL Draft on Wednesday, with the selection of London Knights winger Easton Cowan at #28.
The 18-year-old is 5’11”, 170 lbs. and scored 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in his first full OHL season, but broke out for London in the OHL playoffs with 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 20 games for the Knights.
Elite Prospects described Cowan as an “highly intelligent and creative forward. He creates opportunities by outspeeding and outdangling the opposition. Cowan's hockey sense matches the quickness in his feet, he's able to link passing plays in transition, manipulate defensive gaps with clever movements and feints, and find pockets of space in the slot.”
The Hockey Prospect Black Book prophetically said “Easton plays a style of game that is becoming increasingly rare. We feel he has just enough skill to go along with his excellent hockey IQ and elite compete level, to allow him to be the winger on a line up and and down the top three lines. It’s hard to guess on where he could potentially be selected in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. We think there is a chance he could possibly sneak into the end of the first round, but more likely will be an early second-round pick. We’d be surprised if he slides any further than the middle of the second round.”
Other draft analysts had him not coming off the draft board until the middle rounds.
In the fifth round, the Leafs selected center Hudson Malinoski. The 19-year-old played for the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL and is headed to Providence College next season.
HP Black Book’s description of Malinoski: Malinoski fits the template of the classic late-bloomer that we see every year. Passed over last year, this is his second year of draft eligibility. He helped Brooks win the AJHL championship and Centennial Cup.
Possessing a great shot, he can score from distance, as witnessed frequently this season.”
In the sixth round, Toronto selected Lethbridge Hurricanes defenseman Noah Chadwick.
The 6’4”, 187 lb. blueliner had 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in his first WHL season, but is considered to have more of an offensive upside.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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