Leafs Prospects Landon Sim and Easton Cowan Involved in Training Camp Scrap
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs
Undrafted invite Landon Sim got into a heated moment with fellow prospect and London Knight Easton Cowan on the Leafs opening day of training camp.
In a shortened ice battle, Sim got scrappy with Cowan, his former teammate with London in the OHL, keeping coverage over Cowan before the two got a bit more intense, but kept from a full out fight.
With two very different goals for what they're trying to do in camp, Easton Cowan trying to make the Leafs roster and Landon Sim trying to make a presence to secure a potential contract, both players are playing at full intensity, even if it means putting their role as past teammates aside.
Leafs Prospects Show Their Competitive Edge at Camp
The two forwards vying for their future show a willingness to be competitive and play with a physical edge, and it's a very promising sign for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need a physical edge in the lineup, and seeing a top prospect in Cowan doing so is a positive sign that he's working to add more intensity, something the Leafs will value Cowan stepping up on.
Cowan, who has the potential to replace Mitch Marner long-term on the right wing, will be wanted to showcase more physicality as was a question mark while in Toronto and can showcase more of a presence with his body.
As a smaller player at just 6'0, Cowan will need to play bigger than he is and play a lot harder and be able to be tough to make up for his smaller size. Cowan has added 20lbs since he was drafted, showing a dedication to the physical side of his game.
What the Scrap Tells Us About the Leafs' Prospect Pool
The scrap reveals that both Easton Cowan and Landon Sim are both willing to work hard and play physical to have a way to win, and are utilizing their physical side to perform harder.
Like Cowan, Sim is not a big player at 5'11 and 187lbs, but is well known for playing a physically imposing game and being aggressive when needed. Seeing a player like Cowan who is known more for his offensive game is a positive that he is willing to square up with a grinder like Sim.
Sim still has to prove that he deserves a contract as an invite, and his size has been a question mark that he has managed in the OHL to overcome it with his ability to be scrappy, but will need to prove himself at the NHL level.
Playing against NHL talent will be a major test for both players as to how they play against tough opponents, and if they can translate to hold up vs an imposing NHL roster that will demand smaller players be able to handle their own or fail.
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