Easton Cowan gets brutally honest about the pressure of the Toronto market

While being held pointless during his two preseason games for the Maple Leafs, Cowan has looked less like the point-producing monster he was with the London Knights where he put up 96 points including a including a 36-game point streak, and more like a rookie who looks lost at times. While he was fantastic during his Prospect Showcase game, scoring a goal and adding an assist, so far that hasn't translated to results for Craig Berube and Toronto. He'll get to have a bit of a reunion of sorts, as he lines up with fellow London Knights alumnis Max Domi and Mitch Marner, hoping maybe some nostalgia can motivate him to put some numbers up on the scoresheet.

Though not finding results as of yet, Cowan isn't giving up on himself and knows he needs to improve if he wants to find himself a member of the roster come October.

He talked about what he can do in order to have a better showing this time around and knows that he has to let his skillset do the work as opposed to trying to do too much at once.

At times he felt like he never really got out of first gear, and with his new linemates (at least for tonight) Cowan hopes it'll kickstart the talent he, and the team knows he has. Cowan also acknowledges the difficulty that comes with not living up to expectations especially in a hockey market like Toronto, and is trying to keep his spirits up regardless of the pressure.

Cowan's spot on the roster doesn't seem to be a lock as much as fans would like it to be, although it doesn't mean they should give up hope that he'll find a spot on the club, as head coach Craig Berube sees something in the rookie but acknowledges he still has some dues to pay.

The Toronto Maple Leafs can afford to keep Cowan away from the spotlight at least for a little bit; he's waiver exempt and he could use a bit more professional experience before making his way to the club. With the sudden logjam on the wings, Toronto can use players like Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to fill the gaps until Cowan and fellow rookie Fraser Minten are ready to go full-time. The team needs to bring out the best possible players and while it's not for a lack of talent, it's just a necessary evil at the start of the season and Cowan unfortunately feels the effects.

The 2024-2025 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs is one of hype, anxiety, and hope. The team will give fans yet another year of nail-biting anticipation as they looks to surpass the first round for the second time in 20 years; a record not lost on Leafs fans who increase the pressure on every player who enters that locker room.

For Easton Cowan, that pressure will eventually turn out to create a diamond for the Maple Leafs.