Rival Teams Eye Maple Leafs Prospect After Easton Cowan Declared Untouchable
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider Nick Kypreos, teams who are trying to get their hands on Easton Cowan are out of luck, but that leaves Ben Danford open to be traded away.
The one issue you can point to with the Toronto Maple Leafs that has remained consistent over the past few years is their propensity to trade away their young talent and prospects for a chance to win now.
Last season they did it with Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin, they've done it in the past with names like Ilya Mikheyev, and way back when there was a time where they traded an unknown goalie named Tuukka Rask which turned out to be arguably the worst deal in franchise history all things considered.
They are trying desperately not to repeat history again in 2025, although that won't stop teams from trying to get their hands on their top prospects, especially Easton Cowan.
Nick Kypreos Lays Out the Leafs' Trade Reality
However, according to NHL Insider and Maple Leafs analyst Nick Kypreos, if teams are asking about Cowan, they are talking about someone the team considers untouchable; a striking turnaround from seasons of old.
But just because they can't get Cowan doesn't mean they aren't going to try and get the next best thing if you were to believe Kypreos:
While the Maple Leafs would like to add a scoring winger, they're limited by a lack of trade assets compared to other teams. Many clubs are expected to inquire about Easton Cowan, but he's considered untouchable for now.
Ben Danford could be a more attainable prospect, though opinions around the league vary on whether he'll top out as a bottom-pair defenceman or develop into a top-four option.
Ben Danford could be a more attainable prospect, though opinions around the league vary on whether he'll top out as a bottom-pair defenceman or develop into a top-four option.
While the team would love to keep Danford, if it brings them a piece they need: Is it worth it?
Could Ben Danford Be the Prospect That Unlocks Toronto's Next Move?
While we don't know exactly what Danford is going to do at the NHL level, his potential is undeniable and his recent trade to the Brantford Bulldogs shows just how important he is.
Traded for three players and nine draft picks (one that also included prospect Zach Sandhu), Danford's been an absolute stud in the OHL and while he won't wow you offensively, he does all the little things right.
A year or two away from making the NHL, his timeline doesn't fit in with Toronto's win-now mantra, and while they would love to see what they have, if it brings a piece back like a Dougie Hamilton or Erik Karlsson; that's definitely worth it.
Plus, it's not like the team is devoid of defense and have more than enough young pieces who could help out in the shorter-term than Danford could, even if he's oozing potential.
So while it might be hard to stomach the Toronto Maple Leafs trading away yet another young prospect, if they play their cards right it will actually be one they won't regret.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 5 | 1033 ANSWERS Rival Teams Eye Maple Leafs Prospect After Easton Cowan Declared Untouchable Who would you rather trade from the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Easton Cowan | 47 | 4.5 % |
| Ben Danford | 105 | 10.2 % |
| Artur Akhtyamov | 262 | 25.4 % |
| Alex Nylander | 619 | 59.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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