Throughout the week the Toronto Maple Leafs have made various roster cuts. Prospect Easton Cowan was one of those cuts on Monday afternoon. Later in the day, the team announced their opening night roster. It had all the regulars on the list and also a few extras.
Loaned to London
The @MapleLeafs have loaned forward Easton Cowan to the London Knights (OHL).
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 7, 2024
Cowan has been loaned back to the London Knights of the OHL. In this past preseason, Cowan featured in all but one exhibition game for the Maple Leafs. He did not play in the final preseason game at home against the Detroit Red Wings. That game was used as a dress rehearsal for the Leafs’ main roster, with a few absences. In the previous five games, Cowan produced two assists, both to Nicholas Robertson. He started slow but found himself as the preliminaries went on.
The 19-year-old was selected in the first round by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL draft. Later that fall, Leaf fans got to see him in the Blue and White for the first time. In the 2023-24 preseason, he played three games and scored two points, including one goal. He scored the same amount of points as this past preseason but in two fewer games.
For Cowan, it was either he made the NHL roster, or he got sent back to the OHL. Because of his age, he is ineligible to play in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. However, if that was an option, both the player and the organization would probably want that situation. Truthfully, there was too much competition for the main roster to the point where there was no space for Cowan. Ultimately, it was an easy decision.
There’s a lot for Cowan to Prove
Last season with the Knights, Cowan scored 96 points in 56 games. He was also named OHL MVP for the regular season and playoffs. It was a great season for the youngster, but it can be even better. Many Leaf fans believe that there is nothing left for Cowan to prove or play for in junior. However, there is plenty more to look forward to. Not only is this another opportunity for him to rack up some points and some more awards. Cowan has the chance to do things all over again.
For instance, London was defeated in the Memorial Cup finals against the Saginaw Spirit. There might’ve been moments that Cowan replays in his head and wishes he had back. Now, with more preparation, he can do it over again the way he wants. He will also get another opportunity at the World Junior Championships with Canada in Ottawa. In the last campaign, he scored just two points in five games. He’ll be looking to not only put up better numbers but to dominate the tournament and the CHL at that.
Cowan is Still Young
Some might worry that Cowan is being sent back to London for a second time in his career. However, it’s very common for players to take their time to develop in junior. This will be Cowan’s third full season with the Knights. In fact, Mitch Marner played three full seasons for London before he became a full-time NHL player. The Maple Leafs were patient with his development and now he is one of the best wingers in the game.
Another player who took some time to bloom is Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild. His situation was much more different because of the complications in the KHL. Kaprizov was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL draft. However, he only made his NHL debut about six years later. Yet, he is one of the league’s most prolific scorers.
It’s not a promise that Cowan will become a Marner or a Kaprizov, but there is a lot that he can take from another year of junior.
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
