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Maple Leafs Prospect Roundup: Cowan & Holinka at the WJC, Hildeby named AHL Player of the Week
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Photo credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)
Nick Richard
Dec 31, 2024, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 31, 2024, 11:47 EST
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The World Juniors are in full swing, and Team Canada is set to face their biggest test yet as they wrap up the preliminary round with first place in Group A on the line against Team USA on New Year’s Eve.
It has been a bit of a disappointing showing for Canada thus far, with their offensive struggles taking centre stage in a shocking shootout loss to Latvia and a narrow victory over Germany, but they still have a chance to control their destiny heading to the medal round. Defence and goaltending have been bright spots for Canada, but they will have to unlock some more offensive firepower if they’re going to make any noise beyond the group stage.
After an underwhelming showing in his first go at the World Juniors, Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has been one of Canada’s offensive leaders through their first three games, but he will also need to be better if Team Canada is going to achieve their ultimate goal. Cowan scored an insurance marker in Canada’s tournament-opening victory over Finland, set up Calum Ritchie’s go-ahead power-play goal in the third period against Latvia, and notched another primary assist on Oliver Bonk’s power-play marker to open the scoring against Germany. He currently leads the Canadian roster with three points through three games, but head coach Dave Cameron needs more from his group of star forwards, and Cowan will be expected to lead by example by taking his game to another level.
The Leafs’ 2023 first-rounder has acknowledged that he has more to give and that he could do a better job of getting into the middle of the ice to create havoc in the offensive zone. While he has proven capable of taking over games at the junior level, Cowan will have to balance that effort with making good decisions and not trying to do too much on his own. There have already been a couple of occasions during the tournament where some of his more junior-esque habits have shown up in a negative way, whether it be getting caught out for long shifts on his own or trying to force plays that lead to extended shifts for his teammates.
We have seen Cowan star on the big stage in the OHL plenty over the last year, and Canada’s New Year’s Eve matchup against the USA might be the grandest stage he has seen to this point in his career. If Canada is going to prevail, Cowan will likely have to continue leading the offensive charge.

Notes from the rest of the prospect pool:

  • The Leafs have another prospect suiting up at the World Juniors this year, with 2024 fifth-rounder Miroslav Holinka making an impact for Czechia through the preliminary round. He was fantastic in their opening contest against Switzerland, opening the scoring with a deft deflection in front of the net and adding a primary assist off an outstanding effort on the power play. Oddly enough, he was held off the scoresheet in Czechia’s 14-2 victory over Kazakhstan, but he picked up his second helper of the tournament in a 4-2 victory over Slovakia. Holinka and the rest of Team Czechia will take on Sweden in another group-deciding matchup on New Year’s Eve. Well done, schedule makers.
  • Back with the Marlies, Fraser Minten scored his fourth goal of the season and second in four games as Toronto took down Belleville by a score of 3-0 on Boxing Day. After an impressive stint with the Leafs in November, Minten is back playing big minutes in the AHL, and he might be in the conversation for another recall should the absence of Auston Matthews continue much longer. The preference is obviously for Minten to continue developing in the minors, but with Pontus Holmberg and David Kämpf taking turns centring the Leafs’ second line at the moment, the situation is somewhat dire.
  • Dennis Hildeby was between the pipes for that 3-0 win over Belleville, stopping all 31 shots he faced to pick up his first shutout of the season. He followed that up with another strong outing against the baby Sens on Saturday, making 35 saves in a 4-3 victory. Playing time has been a little tough to come by for Hildeby as he has been shuttled between the AHL and NHL, primarily serving as a backup for the big club, but he is now sporting a 2.42 GAA to go along with a .916 SV% through eight appearances for the Marlies this season. He was named the AHL Player of the Week on Monday, and it looks like he’s getting back to being the goaltender who climbed the prospect ranks with an impressive rookie season in the AHL a year ago.
  • Nikita Grebenkin scored in his first game back with the Marlies on December 14th, but he hasn’t registered a point in six games since then. Grebenkin arrived in Toronto like a bull in a china shop, making a mark through rookie camp and the preseason before getting off to a great start in the AHL and earning a quick call-up to the NHL, but his play has levelled off, and he’ll be looking to get back to being a disruptive force in the new year.
  • Roni Hirvonen has been hot lately, with three goals and an assist in his last five games. After scoring seven goals and six assists in 37 games during an injury-riddled rookie season with the Marlies, he is now up to six goals and six assists in 27 games so far in his sophomore year. Hirvonen has fallen down the prospect rankings over the last couple of years, but not necessarily through poor play, and a strong second half to the AHL season could get him back on track to playing NHL games down the road.
  • Signed as an undrafted free agent last spring, Jacob Quillan got a decent look from the Leafs’ coaching staff in his first NHL training camp this past fall. The offensive production hasn’t been there for him in the AHL like it was in college, but he might be turning a corner over the last few weeks, and he is currently riding a six-game point streak. For the season, he’s got 10 points in 27 games while also being a reliable two-way presence down the middle.
  • It has been a difficult couple of years for Ty Voit since turning pro, missing practically all of last season with various injuries, and then having to re-establish himself on a bad ECHL team this season. Even Voit’s high-end playmaking skills weren’t enough to propel Cincinnati’s offence early on this season, but he has been racking up the points in recent games. Over his last seven games for the Cyclones, he has tallied three goals and five assists, bringing him up to 15 points in 27 games on the season. If he keeps producing like he has over the last couple of weeks, an opportunity in the AHL should be in order.
  • William Villeneuve has been making regular appearances in the Maple Leafs Prospect Roundup over the last several weeks, and with three more points over his last two games, he deserves another mention. The offensive skill has always been there for Villeneuve, and he has refined his mobility as well as his defensive play over his first couple of professional seasons. Those improvements to his game have led to a larger role with the Marlies as the season has progressed, and he has taken full advantage, now with a goal and 10 assists over his last 10 games. He is on pace for the best season of his AHL career by a long shot and might still be a viable NHL prospect heading into his age-23 season next fall.
Statistics from TSN.ca & EliteProspects.com

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