Awesome that the leafs top prospects beat the Habs top prospects twice this weekend in Montreal. Obviously meaningless, but funny non the less.

Minten and Cowen impressed.
Niemela with 5 apples.
Hirvonen had a nice game today 2g 1a
- rSole

I had a busy day yesterday and didn't get to see too much of it - but the bit I did see (the third, where Minten had already departed the game), Niemela looked a lot smoother with the puck and in movement than he had in game 1 and Hirvonen was more noticeable; in game 1 he had a few plays, but he was largely eventless.

I'm not sure who I think Cowan's game reminds me of. I was originally thinking his feistiness and size put him in the Gallagher or Tucker area, but watching him . . . he doesn't play like that whatsoever. He doesn't shy away from contact, but he doesn't go seeking it out, either. What I get from watching him is that he competes.

I don't know how you took his game, but he's very successful without any clear standout skill other than his drive - he's a pretty average skater, with above average edgework; an above average passer, but a pretty average puck handler - like you're not going to confuse his game with Marner's anytime soon. His shot is probably just a little above average - you compare him to the kids he's playing with and it's above average there, but you shift that shot in the NHL-sphere and it's probably pretty mid-range.

The way he competes, even with his slightly above average toolkit, and his smaller frame, he could be NHL-ready now - but due to his stature and that competitive fire, he could be better off to physically develop one more year.

I guess that's why there's also big-boy camp starting this week!

I had a busy day yesterday and didn't get to see too much of it - but the bit I did see (the third, where Minten had already departed the game), Niemela looked a lot smoother with the puck and in movement than he had in game 1 and Hirvonen was more noticeable; in game 1 he had a few plays, but he was largely eventless.

I'm not sure who I think Cowan's game reminds me of. I was originally thinking his feistiness and size put him in the Gallagher or Tucker area, but watching him . . . he doesn't play like that whatsoever. He doesn't shy away from contact, but he doesn't go seeking it out, either. What I get from watching him is that he competes.

I don't know how you took his game, but he's very successful without any clear standout skill other than his drive - he's a pretty average skater, with above average edgework; an above average passer, but a pretty average puck handler - like you're not going to confuse his game with Marner's anytime soon. His shot is probably just a little above average - you compare him to the kids he's playing with and it's above average there, but you shift that shot in the NHL-sphere and it's probably pretty mid-range.

The way he competes, even with his slightly above average toolkit, and his smaller frame, he could be NHL-ready now - but due to his stature and that competitive fire, he could be better off to physically develop one more year.

I guess that's why there's also big-boy camp starting this week!
- Monkeypunk

Your description of Cowan reminds me of Lightning-era Yanni Gourde.

Which, that wouldn't be terrible, but you hope his ceiling is higher than Gourde's.

Your description of Cowan reminds me of Lightning-era Yanni Gourde.

Which, that wouldn't be terrible, but you hope his ceiling is higher than Gourde's.
- GalacticStone

let hope he doesnt turn into a pumpkin..err a gourde

I had a busy day yesterday and didn't get to see too much of it - but the bit I did see (the third, where Minten had already departed the game), Niemela looked a lot smoother with the puck and in movement than he had in game 1 and Hirvonen was more noticeable; in game 1 he had a few plays, but he was largely eventless.

I'm not sure who I think Cowan's game reminds me of. I was originally thinking his feistiness and size put him in the Gallagher or Tucker area, but watching him . . . he doesn't play like that whatsoever. He doesn't shy away from contact, but he doesn't go seeking it out, either. What I get from watching him is that he competes.

I don't know how you took his game, but he's very successful without any clear standout skill other than his drive - he's a pretty average skater, with above average edgework; an above average passer, but a pretty average puck handler - like you're not going to confuse his game with Marner's anytime soon. His shot is probably just a little above average - you compare him to the kids he's playing with and it's above average there, but you shift that shot in the NHL-sphere and it's probably pretty mid-range.

The way he competes, even with his slightly above average toolkit, and his smaller frame, he could be NHL-ready now - but due to his stature and that competitive fire, he could be better off to physically develop one more year.

I guess that's why there's also big-boy camp starting this week!
- Monkeypunk

Personally I think it’s Robertson vs Cowan this camp. Loser either gets traded or gets sent down.

Of course injuries could change this and both of them could be up to start.

I think he will develop into his own mould but what comes to me is Kadri. Kadri was more flash in his JR days but I could see the comparison.

I think he makes the team, dude is very determined and I’m not going to bet against him.

I will bet against Robertson. Hope he proves me wrong.

Utah isn't real. It's southern Idaho.
- GalacticStone

Utah is ranked #13 on the Leafs prospect list.

Personally I think it’s Robertson vs Cowan this camp. Loser either gets traded or gets sent down.

Of course injuries could change this and both of them could be up to start.

I think he will develop into his own mould but what comes to me is Kadri. Kadri was more flash in his JR days but I could see the comparison.

I think he makes the team, dude is very determined and I’m not going to bet against him.

I will bet against Robertson. Hope he proves me wrong.
- Santo_44

I think it's a pretty safe bet that Cowan is not getting traded.

I would be shocked if Robertson isn't traded by the end of the season.

let hope he doesnt turn into a pumpkin..err a gourde
- senstroll

Gourde was an undersized forward who had a high compete and tireless motor, but average skills in almost every area. Cowan, from the little I have watched, seems like a better passer. Also, both have grit and won't shy away from physicality, but they also don't cruise around looking to lay guys out. And like Tucker, Gourde never backed down from a fight, no matter how big the opponent was.

I expect Cowan will have a higher ceiling, based on the scouting and his draft position. But, if he turned out to be another Gourde, that wouldn't be a total bust (assuming it's Lightning Gourde and not Seattle Gourde).

My way too early TDL prediction for the leafs.

They get Brock Nelson.

And sign him.

Big tall C. Remember reading some rumours Tre was sniffing around last TDL.

But I’d rather the isles make the WC and Leafs get 1st and have a 1st round matchup because that would be awesome entertainment.

I think it's a pretty safe bet that Cowan is not getting traded.

I would be shocked if Robertson isn't traded by the end of the season.
- mjones242

I meant Cowan gets sent down or Robertson gets traded.

IF and it’s always a big if this group is fully healthy game 1 I think it’s just between those 2 for who makes the team.

Personally I think it’s Robertson vs Cowan this camp. Loser either gets traded or gets sent down.

Of course injuries could change this and both of them could be up to start.

I think he will develop into his own mould but what comes to me is Kadri. Kadri was more flash in his JR days but I could see the comparison.

I think he makes the team, dude is very determined and I’m not going to bet against him.

I will bet against Robertson. Hope he proves me wrong.
- Santo_44

Cowan wont be traded and it would be back to the OHL for him if he doesnt make the team.

My way too early TDL prediction for the leafs.

They get Brock Nelson.

And sign him.

Big tall C. Remember reading some rumours Tre was sniffing around last TDL.

But I’d rather the isles make the WC and Leafs get 1st and have a 1st round matchup because that would be awesome entertainment.
- Santo_44

Leafs have a 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th at this years draft, a 1st, 3rd and a 5th at next years.
I wouldnt expect any big movement at this years TDL.

Leafs have a 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th at this years draft, a 1st, 3rd and a 5th at next years.
I wouldnt expect any big movement at this years TDL.
- Fakepartofme

Nice so they have a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd to use.

They also have prospects plus Robertson/what they get for him.

There was not a 1st round pick used in the Jake Guentzel trade.

Happy Monday

Cowan wont be traded and it would be back to the OHL for him if he doesnt make the team.
- Fakepartofme

Read.

Look up.

Nice so they have a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd to use.

They also have prospects plus Robertson/what they get for him.

There was not a 1st round pick used in the Jake Guentzel trade.

Happy Monday
- Santo_44

Its the leafs. It will cost a 1st.
Also, Tre wants to build the prospect pool. I doubt he moves a first unless its to bring back a real impact player.

Read.

Look up.
- Santo_44

I read.
Cowen wont be traded.

Cowan wont be traded and it would be back to the OHL for him if he doesnt make the team.
- Fakepartofme

I’m seeing the LW as this:

Knies: best one they got
Robertson: offensive talent with no D or physical play
McMann: solid all around player
Pacioretty: desperately needed veteran for that position, seriously, the second most GP on this list is Robertson

Utah is ranked #13 on the Leafs prospect list.
- mjones242

1st name johnny?

Its the leafs. It will cost a 1st.
Also, Tre wants to build the prospect pool. I doubt he moves a first unless its to bring back a real impact player.
- Fakepartofme

Lol Nelson is an impact player.

And yeah they have a 1st.

They have pieces to trade this TDL, as you stated above.

I read.
Cowen wont be traded.
- Fakepartofme

Ya

Lol Nelson is an impact player.

And yeah they have a 1st.

They have pieces to trade this TDL, as you stated above.
- Santo_44

Cool. The leafs like to draft as well.
So expect something similar to last TDL, unless major injuries. But we'll see.

Cool. The leafs like to draft as well.
So expect something similar to last TDL, unless major injuries. But we'll see.
- Fakepartofme

Do they?

Cool. The leafs like to draft as well.
So expect something similar to last TDL, unless major injuries. But we'll see.
- Fakepartofme

Cool you can expect that.

I don’t usually agree with your perspective and this is another one I don’t agree with.

Happy Monday

Lol Nelson is an impact player.

And yeah they have a 1st.

They have pieces to trade this TDL, as you stated above.
- Santo_44

The leafs don’t have a 1st rounder in 2025 unless Chicago finishes no worse than 11th.

The leafs don’t have a 1st rounder in 2025 unless Chicago finishes no worse than 11th.
- Dozzer

Okay?

So they have a 1st to deal

The condition isn’t that they lose the 1st

The leafs don’t have a 1st rounder in 2025 unless Chicago Leafs finishes no worse than 11th.
- Dozzer

Leafs traded their 2025 1st round pick to Chicago which is top 10 protected.