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Throughout the season, we will check in on the Toronto Maple Leafs prospects to see how they are progressing. The 2023 Draft saw Toronto trade numerous picks to add players for a postseason run, leaving them with only three picks (Boston’s first via Washington from the Rasmus Sandin deal and a fifth and sixth-rounder) at the Draft in Nashville.
Here is how those players selected in the 2023 Draft are doing:
Easton Cowan – LW (London – OHL)
The Leafs surprised many with the selection of Cowan 28th overall, a feisty forward with the London Knights who had an impressive second half and OHL Playoffs. The 18-year-old continued showing progress at Traverse City and at training camp, playing in a few preseason games before heading back to junior.
The 5’11”, 185 lb. forward has grown in confidence since leaving the Leafs and is second in scoring for the Knights with 27 points (8 goals, 19 assists) in 15 games.
Easton Cowan (No. 7) extended his point streak to seven games with a shorthanded primary assist on Saturday in a 4-0 win against Guelph.
Malinoski fits the template of the classic late-bloomer that we see every year. Passed over last year, the 19-year-old was selected 153rd overall in his second year of draft eligibility after helping the Brooks Bandits win the AJHL championship and Centennial Cup.
Hudson Malinoski (No. 9) fired a sweet power-play one-timer for the game winner in a 5-2 victory against Northeastern on Saturday.