Top 5 Toronto Maple Leafs prospects to watch out for in 2024-25 NHL season ft. Easton Cowan

The Toronto Maple Leafs are right up against the salary cap, and with that, the team may look toward prospects to fill out its roster as they come with cheap salaries. Although the Maple Leafs haven't had many high picks as of late, they still have some players knocking on the door.

The Maple Leafs' prospect pool is led by Easton Cowan, who is looking to break the team out of camp. But here are five prospects to watch out for in the 2024-25 NHL season.

Top 5 Toronto Maple Leafs prospects to watch out for

#1 Easton Cowan

Toronto drafted Easton Cowan with the 28th overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, and he had an impressive camp last year but didn't make the team.

Cowan then dominated the junior level and will be pushing for a roster spot this training camp. However, with Cowan still eligible to be sent back to the OHL, he can't be sent to the AHL and instead has to be in the NHL or the OHL.

If Cowan impresses in camp, Toronto will likely give him a nine-game tryout before making a decision on whether it will send him back or not.

#2 Fraser Minten

Fraser Minten seems likely to make the Maple Leafs out of training camp again.

Minten was drafted 38th overall in the 2022 NHL draft and played in four games with Toronto last season before being sent back down to junior.

After not signing a single forward in free agency, there is a pathway for Minten to make the team again and be a bottom-six forward for the Maple Leafs.

#3 Dennis Hildeby

Toronto went out and signed Anthony Stolarz to form a goalie tandem with Joseph Woll, while Matt Murray is back as the third goalie.

However, Dennis Hildeby is the top goalie prospect in the system and could play his way into games this season if Woll or Stolarz get hurt.

Hildeby did get called up last season but did not play a game.

#4 Nikita Grebenkin

Nikita Grebenkin signed his entry-level deal with Toronto, as he's set to leave Russia and the KHL to come to North America.

Grebenkin will likely be in the AHL to begin the season, but he is 21, and if he gets off to a hot start in the minors, he could be called up.

Toronto didn't sign a forward in free agency, and if the Maple Leafs' offense struggles early on, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Grebenkin get called up.

#5 Roni Hirvonen

Roni Hirvonen was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft and spent last year with the Marlies in the AHL.

Hirvonen skated in 37 games last year, recording seven goals and six assists for 13 points. He's more of a defensive forward but could see some action on the fourth line if someone gets hurt, as it is a role he is used to playing.