Easton Cowan Reflects on the Departures of Mitch Marner and Fraser Minten

While the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp gets underway, all eyes are going to be focused on Easton Cowan, as the top prospect is looking to make a statement and stake a claim for a spot on the Marlies, or even potentially, the Maple Leafs themselves.

Expected to be a huge focal point of their offense in the future, it's only a matter of time before Cowan makes his debut. But there is something irking him, and it involves the team parting ways with Fraser Minten and Mitch Marner.

Speaking to the media, Cowan commented on the impact both the Fraser Minten and Mitch Marner trade had on him, as both men were crucial in not only welcoming him to Toronto, but motivating him to be the best he can be.

In regards to Minten, who was arguably Toronto's top prospect before Cowan, and made his NHL debut this year, he mentioned the two still chat, and he has nothing but love for the former forward:

The two were expected to lead the Maple Leafs new era up front, however a deadline deal for Brandon Carlo send Minten to the rival Boston Bruins. It wasn't a bad trade by any means, but losing him certainly hurt Toronto's prospect pool.

Marner on the other hand, was a huge part of Cowan's growth, and the similarities between the two stretch beyond the on-ice offense. Both men are some of the greatest London Knights players in history, and Marner was constantly motivating Cowan during the Memorial Cup.

He was certainly sad to see him go:

While he seems a bit upset with Marner departing, if you read a bit more into that statement it looks like Cowan is ready to take up that mantle and be the next Leafs superstar.

Capping off an incredible junior career with a Memorial Cup, Cowan posted 220 points in 175 games for London (74G, 136A) and won basically every award possible, from League MVP to Playoff MVP.

But now he's ready to make some more history with the Maple Leafs, and it won't take long before he's a household name for all of Leafs Nation.