Hildeby ranked 20th among goalie prospects, while Cowan placed 47th in the top 100 non-goaltender list.
Annually, The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler publishes his NHL-drafted prospect rankings. Since 2020, the rankings have been split into two separate lists for skaters and netminders.
In the summer 2024 version, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a player listed on each ranking. The goaltender ranking, released Wednesday, requires netminders to be under 25 years old and not one of their NHL club’s two starting options.
Of the 20 available spots, Maple Leafs prospect Dennis Hildeby made the cut, securing the 20th and final position on the list.
Hildeby, drafted in the fourth round (122nd overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, boasts a 6-foot-7, 222-pound frame, making him a towering presence in the net. The Leafs wasted no time signing him to a three-year, entry-level contract with an average annual value of $843,330 in July 2022, given the upside he possessed.
Following his draft year, the Swede spent the majority of the 2022-23 season in the SHL (Swedish Hockey League) and appeared in just two games for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Playing for the Farjestads BK Karlstad in the SHL, Hildeby posted an 11-9-0 record with three shutouts, a 2.26 goals against average, and a .918 save percentage.
In October 2023, Hildeby joined the Marlies full-time and made significant strides. His first professional season in North America was highlighted by a plethora of achievements. On the year, he posted an impressive 21-11-7 record, netting four shutouts, a 2.41 goals against average, and a .913 save percentage. His 20+ win season set the record for most victories in a season by a rookie goaltender, earning him an all-star appearance alongside teammate Alex Steeves.
Hildeby had the opportunity to join the Maple Leafs for their three-game road trip to Southern California in January, following Joseph Woll’s high-ankle injury and the inconsistent play of now-former Maple Leafs netminder, Ilya Samsonov. Though he didn’t have the chance to take the crease in his first NHL game, the experience was a major stepping stone into what the future could entail for the 22-year-old.
"It's a nice experience going up there, getting a feel for how it's being on the road with the big boys,” said Hildeby after the trip. “Something I will take with me and use as preparation for next time."
Hildeby joins Joseph Woll, Artur Akhtymamov, and Vyacheslav Peksa as the Leafs’ top prospects in net for the foreseeable future. Wheeler noted in the piece that Akhtymamov, the VHL goaltender of the year and the Leafs’ fourth round (106th overall pick) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, nearly made the list after leading the Neftyanik Almetievsk to a VHL championship and being named the Petrov Cup’s Most Valuable Player.
Given the Leafs' current rotation of Woll, Anthony Stolarz, and Matt Murray, Hildeby is expected to continue developing in the AHL for another season before potentially moving up to the NHL in 2025-26. Regardless, his inclusion in the list of top 20 goaltending prospects is a commendable achievement.
Easton Cowan Ranked #47 Out of 100 Available Spots
To be included in Wheeler’s top 100 drafted prospects ranking posted Tuesday, the skater must be under 23 years old and not established as a full-time NHLer.
Leafs forward prospect Easton Cowan fits the mold.
Since being selected with the 28th pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Cowan has exceeded expectations, proving to be a diamond in the rough. Following a season full of accolades, Cowan earned the rights to the number 47 spot on the prospect ranking list.
The 19-year-old emerged as a key piece for the London Knights’ offense in 2023-24, setting career-highs in goals (34), assists (62), and points (96) all while playing in just 54 regular season games. The totals surpassed his previous 53-point (20G, 33A) total in 2022-23, showing significant progress in his development.
His standout play earned him the OHL’s Red Tilson Trophy for the Most Outstanding Player, and the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as OHL Playoff MVP after leading the league with 34 points (10G, 24A) in the postseason. Highlighted by his 36-game point streak in the regular season and 42 games if you include the postseason, the performance was crucial in the Knights winning the OHL championship (the J. Ross Robertson Cup) and reaching the Memorial Cup Final.
The ‘Cowboy’ tallied 138 points in 76 games combined between the regular season, playoffs, and Memorial Cup action. Besides failing to finish the job in the Memorial Cup Final, Cowan has little left to prove at the junior level. However, due to his 19-year-old status, he is unable to play for the Marlies in the 2024-25 season and his options are limited to the Leafs or a return to the Knights – while remaining eligible for the IIHF World Juniors.
With that in mind, Cowan aims to make the Leafs’ roster out of training camp in his second season, similar to prospect Fraser Minten last summer. "I want to make the team. That's always been my goal. I want to play in the NHL one day, and I'm feeling very confident, so I've just got to come into camp, be a very reliable player, someone the coach can trust. I've just got to learn game management a bit better, and I think I'll be good,” said Cowan at the end of the club’s development camp.
At this point in July, the Leafs are still looking to address their look upfront, and offensively, there could be more of an opportunity for a player like Cowan. His presence on both ends of the ice and scoring touch will only benefit him going forward. Still, he has had a coming-out party over the last calendar year and is only continuing to trend upwards.
For the Leafs, the pair represent two bright spots in the organization’s future plans. Despite limited draft capital, they've managed to hit the mark on draft night and secure valuable prospects like Hildeby and Cowan.
