What We Learned From the Maple Leafs' First Prospect Showdown Game vs. Ottawa

With the first game of the Prospect Showcase finished, the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs put on a great showing that was not only highly anticipated but also hotly contested.

It was a back and forth affair that saw both teams trade goals back and forth, highlighted by a two-goal game from Ottawa's Carter Yaremchuk.

So with the game concluded and the Senators prevailing 4-3, there were certainly a few things to note regarding the first of two showcase games.

While names like Easton Cowan and Ben Danford were expected to be huge parts of the game, Cowan was quiet until assisting on Quillan's goal, though he was certainly a menace fighting for pucks.

He was able to get some transition offense early, however was pretty quiet until picking things up in the third.

Danford was solid and probably Toronto's best defenseman but considering they weren't the strongest today on the back end; it wasn't saying a whole lot. He was good, and played hard so it was a more understated but good debut.

However it was the newcomers on the team who really made things interesting. Cowan's teammate in London, Landon Sim, was a nuisance all game, annoying and agitating the Senators while also not being afraid to get in the middle of a scrum at a moment's notice.

Two of the team's big additions this past spring in Luke Haymes and Ryan Kirwan both had two points (1 goal, 1 assist) and looked poised to be mainstays for the Marlies with the potential to play for Toronto in due time.

But it was the entire fourth line of Sim, Matthew Hlacar and Tyler Hopkins that really impressed. The line fought hard each shift, Hopkins got a great opportunity early on, and found himself nearly on a couple of breakaway chances and Hlacar was solid as a big body on the wing.

Sim also found himself in a scrap with Matthew Andonovski which Sim got the upper hand in.

Artur Akhtyamov struggled a bit, and while he was able to bring the team a bit of energy after a Dominik Hasek-like save, there were still times where he seemed too antsy and was caught out of position.

One thing to also note is that forward Borya Valis was shaken up early in the game and did not return.

It was only one game, but things are looking solid for the team, albeit with some improvements needed.

Kirwan, Cowan, Quillan, and Haymes are no doubt going to be a part of both the Marlies and Maple Leafs, and the chemistry that both Cowan and Quillan had together speaks volumes for their potential together at the NHL level.

They are a group of forwards who might not be a very offensively flashy bunch but grits their way into scoring and is able to keep games close.

The defense on the other hand was a bit more hit and miss. Yes Noah Chadwick had an assist, and Ben Danford was solid but otherwise it wasn't much to shake a stick at.

There were times where they were caught out of position and lead to an Ottawa goal, and their complacence at times led to too many scoring chances.

The depth on defense might become an issue, although we still didn't have Victor Johansson who could be a very bright star in the future; but they just need to act a bit more disciplined and aware.

One thing to note as well for both teams regarding discipline is that they really need to work on things, and while it's great to see intensity already; there were some pretty careless calls taken from both sides.

Toronto will get a chance to regroup on Sunday when they take on the Montreal Canadiens at 3pm; a link to the game will be posted on the official Toronto Maple Leafs website on game day.