Maple Leafs' Surprising Roster Decision on Easton Cowan Has Hidden Salary Cap Strategy Behind It
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs left rookie Easton Cowan off their roster to start the season, but it's all part of the team's plan to be financially flexible in the future.
In a surprising twist on Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs decided last minute that Easton Cowan was not going to be part of their plans this season, electing instead to keep Jacob Quillan instead as their injection of youth in the bottom-six.
Cowan had a very impressive preseason and while the offense wasn't as dominating as it was in junior, the fact he played in all five games and earned high praise all-round looked to set his place on the roster in stone.
Why Easton Cowan's Assignment Wasn't About Performance
But that simply wasn't the case, though it's likely Cowan will get a look at some point this season, and his exclusion off the roster had absolutely nothing to do with his performance.
It was simply a bit of business.
According to NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the reasoning behind the Maple Leafs electing to keep Quillan over Cowan had to do with Quillan's cap hit being slightly higher; therefore giving the team more LTIR room.
The team is going to likely place Marshall Rifai and potentially Scott Laughton on LTIR as the former has to undergo surgery, and the latter is going to be out for several weeks; not to mention Joseph Woll's absence.
How the Maple Leafs Are Gaining Cap Flexibility With This Move
But giving the team more cap space flexibility over the long-term is a very solid plan and could set them up very well for the coming months be it a signing or a potential trade.
However, there is one huge caveat to this situation, and that being the new CBA rules implemented this season. Toronto will no longer be able to accrue any cap space going into the playoffs to load up their roster.
Previously, teams could game the LTIR system in order to go above the cap and field a full roster.
That is no longer the case, and if Toronto uses the money the save with Quillan to make a move later; they must be sure they can afford it heading into the postseason.
Given that in years past Toronto hasn't had the flexibility provided to them this year, it's a refreshing change. With a rising cap and a swath of cap space for next summer; they are in a perfect position to make a splash.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 7 | 903 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Surprising Roster Decision on Easton Cowan Has Hidden Salary Cap Strategy Behind It Do you think Easton Cowan deserved to make the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 718 | 79.5 % |
| No | 185 | 20.5 % |
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