The Toronto Maple Leafs could not overcome the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And their latest postseason defeat led to some major changes across the organization. The biggest departure was Mitch Marner, who joined the Vegas Golden Knights. Toronto is going to need players to step up, and they could turn to young prospects like Easton Cowan.
Cowan is coming off an incredible OHL Playoff performance for the champion London Knights. He led all skaters with 39 points in just 17 games. He also helped London win the Memorial Cup this past season over Gavin McKenna and the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.
Cowan is 20 years old, which means his future is relatively straightforward. The former first-round pick will play in Toronto in 2025-26. The question is whether this is with the Maple Leafs or the AHL’s Marlies.
This helps put things into perspective for the Maple Leafs prospect heading into training camp. He knows he will be playing in the city of Toronto. And he knows that the level of hockey he will play is entirely up to his own ability.
“I guess I know where I’ll be living this year,” Cowan said, via NHL.com’s Dave McCarthy, “but having the mindset of whether you are going to play in the NHL or AHL, you just have to have that mindset of getting better each and every day.
“I’m just worried about myself,” Cowan continued. “I have a chance to get a job, so that’s up to me to go out there and show what I can do and play my game.”
Easton Cowan Reflects on 2024-25 Season
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesEaston Cowan hopes to make an impact for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs believe Cowan can become an important player down the line. However, there is still work to do be done before he becomes any sort of star. In saying this, Cowan believes he made significant progress in 2024-25. And he believes he has more to offer now than he did this time last year.
“I got better as a player for sure,” he said, via McCarthy. “This time last year, I wasn’t as good as I am now. Just being able to manage the puck better, I’ve learned that a lot this year. Just managing the puck better. I know I have the skill and compete to play, it’s just managing the puck, knowing when to make the risky play and when not to.”
Cowan is still growing as a professional hockey player. However, he still has a chance to make the team’s roster in 2025-26. And he could play a significant role if he does.
Where Cowan Could Fit on Maple Leafs Roster
Toronto has a few potential spots on its top six to fill. The departure of Marner creates a hole on the right side of the top line. Furthermore, the team still lacks a second-line left wing next to John Tavares, who returned to Toronto in NHL Free Agency this summer.
The Maple Leafs did trade for Matias Maccelli this summer, and he likely fills one of these roles. The 24-year-old winger has shown flashes as an exceptional playmaker. He could help facilitate offense for some of Toronto’s more established stars.
Outside of Maccelli, the Maple Leafs did not add a potential top-six forward. As a result, Cowan could stake a claim to a roster spot. He is certainly a player to follow as training camp gets underway this fall.
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