Easton Cowan sets his sights on NHL success as Toronto’s fresh talent
Easton Cowan is determined to secure his spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster as he embarks on the next chapter of his young career. The talented forward came close to making the team as an 18-year-old, but he found himself among the final cuts. Last training camp proved to be another setback, as he struggled and was cut early. This time, however, Cowan finds himself in a unique position; he is no longer eligible to return to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His options now lie strictly between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL).
A focused mindset for training camp
With training camp approaching, Cowan is resolutely focused on proving he can thrive as a top-line player in the NHL and contribute to the Maple Leafs’ quest for victories. “My mindset right now is to make the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Cowan expressed with conviction. “That’s my goal. We’re at an NHL camp and that’s where I’m at until further notice. This is definitely the most confident I’ve ever felt — faster, stronger, bigger. So that’s going to help me out a lot. I’ve put in the work this summer. Now, it’s just go out there and prove I can play.”
Cowan, now 20, is brimming with confidence and aims to make an impact in his rookie season. With the Maple Leafs navigating the challenge of replacing Mitch Marner on the top line, Cowan might just be the player to step into that role. For now, however, his primary goal is to secure a position on the team as training camp unfolds.
A promising draft pick
Selected 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Cowan has shown remarkable progress since joining the Maple Leafs’ ranks. He is poised to become a top-six forward in the league, and he acknowledges the significant role that the Maple Leafs’ management has played in his development. “Management does a great job staying in touch with me throughout the year,” Cowan noted. “I’ve heard from everyone. They’re all being positive, so I’m being positive. The coach, Craig Berube, is like the other management, staying in touch about little stuff to help a prospect make that jump easier.”
Cowan has also focused on physical improvements to facilitate his transition to the NHL. “I’m feeling good out there, excited for camp,” he shared, highlighting the weight he has gained to help him adapt to the rigors of professional play.
Navigating Marner’s departure
Following Marner’s departure this offseason, the Maple Leafs have opted for a strategy of depth additions rather than seeking a single player to fill the void. General Manager Brad Treliving has expressed optimism about Cowan’s potential to step into a more significant role. “We’re going to miss him, but everyone moves on, right?” Treliving remarked. “We’ve got some guys that are looking for a bit of a bigger bite of the apple. We’ve got some new players that will be interesting to see where they fit. But you’re not just going to go out and replace him. You’ve got to do it by the aggregate — and then keep phoning around.”
Treliving also noted the promising young talent in the organization, specifically mentioning Cowan along with Matias Maccelli, Nick Roy, and Dakota Joshua as players to watch.
A championship pedigree
Cowan comes to the Maple Leafs with a championship pedigree, having helped the London Knights capture the Memorial Cup last season. He showcased his offensive prowess by recording 29 goals and 40 assists for a total of 69 points in just 46 games. As he steps onto the ice for training camp, the anticipation builds for what this young player might achieve in the upcoming NHL season.
