Why the Maple Leafs Can't Afford to Leave Easton Cowan Out of the 2025-26 Lineup
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs can't afford to leave Easton Cowan out of the loop this season, as not only does he have a lot to prove, but could be a surprise boost.
Training camp is just around the corner and for the Toronto Maple Leafs, that means they are going to have some very difficult decisions to make. They have a logjam up front that needs to be sorted out soon, and the potential for a trade gets slimmer by the day.
The camp will see no shortage of regulars, fringe NHL players and prospects all trying to earn the final spot or at least get a long look for a potential early season call-up.
One player who might earn that call up is Easton Cowan, and the Maple Leafs' top prospect has been making waves and might not have anywhere else to go but up.
How Easton Cowan's Playmaking and Work Ethic Stand Out in Leafs Camp
So he's gotta come out flying this preseason and earn as much trust as he can from Craig Berube. No doubt he'll be getting a long look from everyone and while the pressure is on, it looks like Cowan can rise to the occasion.
After a stellar junior career that saw him score 220 points in 175 games for the London Knights, win two OHL Championships, a Memorial Cup, and every personal accolade he could win, there isn't much left for him to do but come in and dominate in Toronto.
That's a tall order, and fans can't expect him to be the second coming of Mitch Marner no matter how badly they want him to. But he offers a tenacious, offensively powerful game that could see him comfortably in the top-nine for years to come.
Knowing he has something to prove, Cowan is going to fight hard this camp and his sheer willpower and determination to make the club could give him the edge over some others; motivation is a powerful force.
Why Starting Cowan in Toronto Could Pay Off Immediately
Well if you look at how Toronto's other big prospect Fraser Minten looked during his debut and subsequent 15-game stint, then you can definitely see Cowan getting a lot of attention.
Minten was projected to be more of a well-rounded forward with the offensive capabilities to help out, and with enough time looked like a very reliable bottom-six option.
But Cowan is way more gifted offensively and if given the same opportunity, might shock some. If they wanna throw him on the fourth line, he'll be well protected with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz and their uber-physical and gritty game could open up space for Cowan.
They could also try him with Nick Robertson and see if the two youngsters can find chemistry together and in turn, help the streaky Robertson become more consistent.
Toronto isn't getting any younger and while they did well to add people like Matias Maccelli and Henry Thrun, there isn't that dynamic, top prospect material in their lineup to really cause a stir.
So enter Easton Cowan.
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