Maple Leafs' Top Prospect Won't Skate at Development Camp, But For Good Reason

Maple Leafs development camp kicked off this week and the compete level was certainly high to begin the first session.

Along with 2024 1st round pick Ben Danford, the Leafs' development camp includes a handful of other notable prospects, including London Knights teammates Easton Cowan and Landon Sim -- though the latter pair were not on the ice on day one.

Named the Memorial Cup MVP after a lengthy season that saw Cowan also suit up for Team Canada at the Wolrd Juniors, the Leafs announced that both he and Sims would not be participating in on-ice sessions due to the amount of hockey the duo had played.

While some may see it as preferential treatment, particularly for Cowan, the Leafs are likely being cautious with their 2023 first-round pick to avoid any unnecessary injuries ahead of Maple Leafs training camp in September.

For Sim, the former sixth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, the Leafs are likely giving him more time to let nagging bumps and bruises heal given the 20-year-old plays a very rough and in-your-face type of hockey that saw him rack up 105 penalty minutes with the Knights last season.

Sim joined Cowan in the Leafs organization officially in May when he signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Marlies.