Easton Cowan's Growth Spurt Could Make Him Impossible for the Maple Leafs to Ignore

Speaking to reporters, Cowan, the Leafs top prospect and 2023 NHL draft first round pick, said that he is now at 190lbs and 5'11, an inch taller and 20lbs larger than when he was first drafted by Toronto.

Cowan, who is fighting for a roster spot at Leafs training camp in his first pro season after a dominant junior career with the London Knights, is hoping to take his experience as a Memorial Cup and OHL Cup winner, as well as for both an MVP, and take that momentum and newfound strength into proving himself of a Leafs team needing winners, and demanding physicality.

Easton Cowan is working to get bigger and stronger headed into his first year in the pros, and it's positive news for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Cowan doesn't fit what has been the typical mold of the Toronto Maple Leafs recent draft picks, which has emphasized size and strength, where Cowan was selected as a smaller, offensively skilled player with upside.

So far, Cowan is showing he can add to his frame the necessary muscle needed to play the physical style that Brad Treliving has been drafting for, and that Craig Berube has wanted the Leafs to have more of.

Cowan's one question mark has been his size and how well he could use it at the pro level, and the Leafs are about to find out. It wouldn't be a surprise if Cowan spends time in the AHL, whether or not he gets a nine-game tryout first, but will likely be in the minors to get used to pro speed, unless he surprises right away.

Proving that he is ready to make the NHL won't just come from offensive production and skill, Cowan will have to put in the work to play off the puck and showcase his physical side, and in doing so prove not only in the NHL can he get points, but that he can handle the intensity that comes with playing in the top league.

Easton Cowan isn't currently expected to make the Leafs roster right away out of training camp, but his ability to get stronger this offseason is a sign that he's putting in the work, and it could reward him sooner rather than later.

If Cowan were to surprise and make the team, part of it would be showcasing he can handle the NHL's intensity. Cowan hasn't been afraid to be scrappy in the OHL, but wasn't used to playing an overly physical game thanks to the fact he was primarily an offensive creator for the London Knights.

Although the hope is that Cowan could eventually fill the hole left by Mitch Marner on the right wing, it's hard to imagine that being the case this season, but in a year or two the hope would be just that, a rise similar to that of Matthew Knies in a quick development jump.

A bigger, stronger Cowan not only adds excitement for the Leafs brass at his growth, but also makes the rookie Cowan a lot more of a force to contend for an NHL spot, and do so sooner rather than later in the Leafs contention window.