Easton Cowan faces a difficult Maple Leafs roster battle

After a solid debut season with the Maple Leafs and a Calder Cup win, Easton Cowan is ready to shine but his spot isn't exactly set in stone for 2026-27.

You've gotta hand it to Easton Cowan. After a lot of expectations coming off a strong junior career, Cowan settled in and put up a solid rookie season with 29 points including 11 goals and showcasing some much needed fire and youth in a much older lineup.

Even after the NHL season ended it wasn't enough for him, as he went to the Toronto Marlies and then helped lead them to a Calder Cup win after recording 18 points in 22 games. He's a born winner it seems, and that can only mean better things for the second-year star as he heads into 2026-27.

Toronto's offseason additions make a lineup spot for Cowan less of a sure thing for 2026-27

Though, unlike last season it seems like he's going to have a lot more work to do if he wants to make sure he's a mainstay.

Toronto made a ton of moves this summer to improve their bottom-six and add some heavier, more defensive presences who can kill penalties, throw hits, and be a general nuisance to opponents on the ice. But that came with five additions to the bottom-six, with guys like Steven Lorentz and Dakota Joshua also in the fold.

Cowan right now has to ensure that he can showcase that offensive talent without sacrificing his tenacity or defensive responsibilities or he won't find a secure spot in the lineup.

There's always a shot he becomes the top-six forward the team has been searching for, but there's reportedly a forward just waiting to be signed to take that role...so where does Cowan fit?

He might not immediately, but that's not to say he isn't going to play at all - just perhaps not on opening night and there may be a bit of a financial implication to it as well.

Cowan's waiver exemption makes sending him down to the Marlies a lot easier to stomach

Cowan is waiver exempt, so that means the team can send him to the AHL for a couple of weeks to get prime reps and playing time while gradually opening up a spot for him as Jim Hiller figures out who goes where and what needs improving.

He'll instantly be one of the top players there, and with a returning crew that involves several key pieces of their Calder Cup win, he's got a great chance to have a strong start to the season regardless of where he plays at first.

Now yes, it's going to frustrate fans that Cowan seemingly gets the short end of the stick and Cowan may also feel a bit slighted but it's less about throwing him into the fire again and more about developing him.

Cowan is 21 years old, just legal now to drink in the USA. He's still a kid in many aspects, and he needs time to grow. Giving him top minutes and exposure while essentially handing him the keys to run the offence is going to make him better on the ice and more confident overall.

Plus, you're giving him time to find chemistry and work with one of his best friends in Ben Danford, and you're trying to grow the two simultaneously so they come up together and help the new Maple Leafs dominate.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Auston Matthews' reported deadline for the Maple Leafs has officially arrived