Signs are pointing to an update brewing with Easton Cowan and the Maple Leafs

Easton Cowan is not with the Toronto Marlies, currently out of the team's lineup ahead of today's match against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Cowan, the Leafs first round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, 28th overall, has a goal and four points in 10 games this season for the Leafs, as well as a point in two games for the Marlies.

Cowan was sent down to the minors last Wednesday with the return of Scott Laughton in the lineup, with it looking possible that Cowan may be called back up to the NHL.

Easton Cowan has not officially been called up, but if he is indeed headed up, the most likely reason as to why is to provide insurance with the uncertainty of Auston Matthews.

Matthews left the Leafs game Tuesday against the Boston Bruins with a lower-body injury following a hit from Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube was uncertain the severity of Matthews injury, or if Zadorov's hit was the cause for him leaving, but says that he should be able to get clarity for today.

If Matthews is unavailable for Toronto's game tomorrow against the Los Angeles Kings, Cowan would be the likeliest to slot back into the Leafs top-six, but they'd have to figure out who to put at center on the top line.

If Cowan is coming up, or if it relates to Matthews being injured or a precautionary measure should be able to be answered by Berube today, with greater certainty on who will play coming Thursday.

As well, Berube is likely to answer on the status of goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who left with an upper-body injury, potentially being the catalyst for Joseph Woll to make his first NHL start of the season against the Kings.