Why Maple Leafs Fans Shouldn't Panic About Easton Cowan Being a Healthy Scratch

In what is becoming a more unique trend in the NHL, Easton Cowan is a healthy scratch for the Leafs, but he's not playing in the minors, and it's a new way of prospect thinking that's happening in the league.

Usually, the American Hockey League would be the place for youngsters who are aged out of Juniors as the next stepping stone in their development if they're not ready, that's changing with recent players instead being scratches.

These players aren't going unused. They're playing, just not everyday, and it's a balance that teams are looking at to give them NHL experience and training even if they're perhaps not entirely ready, but not having to leave them off the roster while they wait.

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't rushing Eaaton Cowan, but they aren't making entirely clear their plans for their young forward.

The Leafs are intending to not overdo Cowan, and may be looking at ways to have him consistently playing the rookie without putting him into a full season just yet, but they don't seem intent on having him go through the minors to the NHL.

For some rookies, to give them more experience would be to send them down to the AHL to present an opportunity for greater minutes, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are taking seemingly a different approach, although not a new one.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are doing nothing new in their prospect development, and in fact, it may be the league's new trend for their star players.

Other teams are taking the approach of not forcing their youngsters to be contributors right away.

The Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets did so for the respective second and third overall picks in 2023, Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli, limited to 55 and 49 games respectively to ease them into the pros.

Last season, the Chicago Blackhawks sat out Frank Nazar for a few games, and the San Jose Sharks for Will Smith. Other top picks such as Macklin Celebrini & Connor Bedard have been exceptions, but with good reason.

This season, multiple forwards are finding themselves as players who don't see everyday hockey to ease their workload, including second overall pick Michael Misa, who was a healthy scratch for San Jose's
home opener.

Also for the Sharks on the sidelines was defenseman Sam Dickinson. Zayne Parekh was a healthy scratch for Calgary.

Some top prospects made their NHL debuts in their first game, including 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, along with Isaac Howard & Arseni Gritstyuk. It will remain to be seen if they play full 82 game seasons.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could always send Easton Cowan down to the Marlies, but they seem to value having him on the roster, with the team learning and participating rather than waiting.

If this is the new trend in the NHL, and a new way forward for the development, the Toronto Maple Leafs could have an even better Easton Cowan than they originally anticipated.