Landon Sim, 21, is in rookie camp with the Marlies after signing as a free agent, intent on climbing from junior success to pro status. A summer training moment with John Tavares created a tangible Leafs link, underscoring a lineage of competitiveness and earned grit. Sim’s path weaves through Memorial Cup pedigree, Blues exhibitions, and a network of rising Maple Leafs prospects, with a Montreal weekend tournament as a proving ground.

He’s driven by a family legacy (his father Jon Sim won the Stanley Cup) and the mentorship style of Craig Berube, a coach who values hard work. The feature traces his ties to Easton Cowan, Ben Danford and Jacob Quillan, his London Knights roots, and his bid to translate AHL promise into an NHL opportunity.

Easton Cowan steps into Toronto’s spotlight as the Leafs’ top prospect with a real path to NHL minutes as the roster turns. His 69 points in 46 OHL games and 39 points in 17 playoff games underline the offensive ceiling, while coaching notes flag needed growth in the defensive end. Camp will be the proving ground to earn a lineup slot and grow his role quickly.

For fantasy, Cowan’s upside hinges on two-way development and opportunity. If he lands in a high-leverage role or pushes for top-nine minutes, his scoring and setup ability could translate into meaningful rookie-year value and long-term keeper appeal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are actively exploring options to enhance their roster this offseason, particularly focusing on acquiring a top-six winger. With limited trade picks and a desire to keep prospect Easton Cowan, the team has been linked to players like Jack Roslovic, Brandon Carlo, and Morgan Rielly, the latter of whom has a no-movement clause. As they navigate their cap space, the Maple Leafs hold around $6 million in available funds, which they could use strategically to either strengthen their lineup now or save for a larger name later, akin to J.T. Miller's addition last season.

Nick Robertson's pending arbitration adds another layer of complexity, as he has been in trade discussions and faced scrutiny for his playoff performance. The Maple Leafs must decide whether to involve him in any potential trades or extend current players like goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who has an injury history. As the preseason approaches, the Leafs are facing tough decisions that could significantly reshape their roster.

With Mitch Marner's recent move to Vegas, Easton Cowan, a rising star in the Toronto Maple Leafs' system, is seizing the opportunity to carve out his role on the NHL roster. The 20-year-old prospect, who recently celebrated success winning back-to-back Memorial Cups with the London Knights, acknowledges the importance of Marner as a mentor but is now focusing on his own development.

Cowan believes he can step up in Marner's absence and is committed to showcasing his skills during the next few months before the season begins. Despite a slight dip in his scoring from last season, Cowan's performance in the playoffs is promising, and he aims to leverage this momentum to secure a spot in Toronto.