Auston Matthews Offers Telling Comment on Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan
Photo credit: Steven Ellis - Daily Faceoff
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews had a very interesting comment regarding Easton Cowan that could end up with the rookie making the team this fall.
With all the focus on how the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to handle their lineup heading into 2025 after so many changes this past offseason, there's one thing that's for certain: the competition is as fierce as ever.
Names like Jacob Quillan, Michael Pezzetta and even young players like Henry Thrun and William Villeneuve are all vying for their shot at joining the Leafs this season.
However one name that seems to stand out above the rest is top prospect Easton Cowan, who has been impressing everyone at camp lately with his progress and growth (nothing on and off the ice).
Easton Cowan Draws Glowing Praise From Maple Leafs Captain
But none has been more impressed it seems than Auston Matthews, as the captain had glowing reviews for the young forward who certainly has a ton of expectations around him.
Matthews gloated to reporters about Cowan at training camp on Friday, and it was nothing but positive:
He looks bigger. He looks stronger. He's always had confidence in his ability and who he is. To me, he just looks like an evolved version of that. So, it's been good to see.
The evolution of Cowan has been one that seems to be a central focus of this year's training camp. Not only is he fighting for one of the last spots on the roster, but could potentially fight for a top-six spot in due time if he keeps up this pace.
That's what it sounds like Matthews might be alluding to, as he recognizes talent when he sees it and knows that down the line he and Cowan could form a formidable duo.
Easton Cowan's Path To Making Maple Leafs
Cowan's competition at camp this season is going to have names like Quillan, David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, and even Nick Robertson. But what he offers above all of them is proof of a winning pedigree.
He's won everything under the sun when it comes to the OHL, and just capped things off with a Memorial Cup win in 2024-25. He had 220 points in 185 games, and played with a mixture of skill and tenacity that lends itself well to a Craig Berube lineup.
There's not much more for Cowan to do, and while the Marlies would be a feasible option he's too good just to be milling about the AHL and obviously is finished with junior.
So if he's got Auston Matthews' stamp of approval, that can only mean the next stop for Cowan is part of the captain's crew come October.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 20 | 2191 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Offers Telling Comment on Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Do you think Easton Cowan is going to make the Maple Leafs this season? | ||
| Yes | 1660 | 75.8 % |
| No | 531 | 24.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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