Brad Treliving and Maple Leafs Have Made a Decision on Easton Cowan's NHL Future

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Chris Gerics
October 4, 2024 (12:56)

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Easton Cowan has shown great maturity for a 19-year-old player and while the Maple Leafs may not be ready to bring him up, he's prepared for whatever comes next.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have five days until the regular season with one more preseason game to go, and what they do with their roster in that time will make or break their 2024-2025 season. Tough decisions await within the coming days as the final pieces of the team are either brought together or pushed back, just not being their time this year.

Easton Cowan is feeling that pinch, as the Maple Leafs 28th pick in the 2023 Draft was fighting hard for a roster spot this season and while he's shown flashes of brilliance, it's clear he's still not ready; that's okay though. The Maple Leafs know what they have in Cowan, who is fresh off a 96-point campaign with the London Knights and will most likely head back there this season to continue that wave of momentum. Cowan acknowledges this, and isn't concerned about what the Maple Leafs decide to do:

"If they send me back, they sent me back. If I stay up, that's obviously been my goal since I started playing hockey - to make the NHL. But if they don't think I'm ready, then I'm not gonna dwell on it. Go back to junior and have fun there."

Cowan isn't going to harbor any hard feelings if the team chooses to send him back, and he knows that he has some facets of his game to work on. Some of them however will surprise Maple Leafs fans, because it seems like something Cowan would rely on others for:

"I feel like adding more sandpaper in my game, maybe fighting a bit more, and just finishing my checks," he says.

Yeah. I've had a couple fights, but I feel like fighting opens up more space for you on the ice. Not being dumb with it, jumping guys. But when the time's right, time's right. So, I wouldn't say I'm really focused on fighting, but if it's there, I feel like it can open up more space, Cowan explains.

You know, having that versatility. Like Domi. He can make plays. He can score. But he likes to get in there, and he can fight too, so just seeing that's been pretty cool."

It would be great if Cowan could add some grit to his game, as that's something head coach Craig Berube craves in his roster. But he also understands that this year's camp isn't the easiest, it's been a struggle and he's still dealing with not only the physical but the mental stress that comes with trying to make the NHL:

"This year, I'm a bit older and stronger and feel like my games have been better, so I'm just putting pressure on myself, it's definitely been different. And it's been tougher, to be honest.

I'm just putting the pressure on myself, I think. Obviously, [Berube] wants us to play defense, but in the offensive zone, you just do you. So, I've just been putting a bit too much pressure myself."

For all of Cowan's struggles, of which there have been many this preseason where he's often struggled with keeping hold of the puck; he's earned high praise from both his head coach and teammates. Berube spoke highly of his offensive talents and knows that as a young player he's still got to learn a few things:

"Listen, he does what he does with the puck and makes plays. He's very good at that. He's a good player, offensive player," Berube says. "He's got to be responsible defensively and manage the game more than anything."

He quickly endeared himself to a very important figurehead in the Maple Leafs locker room as former captain John Tavares admired the work ethic and dedication the 19-year-old has shown:

"It's easy as a young player to think about last year and how it went and compare those things. He's learning things are different. It's a new start, Tavares says.

He just loves the game and loves to compete. He wants to be here and is doing everything he can to make that happen. He's got a great future ahead of him and for us. Just love having him around. His energy is infectious. Loves talking about the game and being around it."

Fellow London Knights alum Max Domi also had some words of encouragement for Cowan, spending lots of time with him during camp alongside former London Knight, Mitch Marner:

"It's never easy to make that jump, especially when you're going to a team that has as many older guys as we do, Domi says.

He's in the gym every day. He's here early. He stays late. He's learning about nutrition and all that stuff. You see him eating big meals and whatnot. So, he looks great. He was a mature kid last year, but he's grown up even more. So, we're all cheering for him. He looks great, and he's getting better every day."

It's a lot of high praise for someone who won't be spending time with the Maple Leafs this season, and it's a clear indication that Cowan isn't too far off track from being a part of the team very shortly. He suited up for five straight preseason games, and while the lineups for the final preseason game against Detroit are unknown, if Cowan gets the nod again it'll be an impressive amount of confidence and trust in someone who they know isn't ready. He's not ready like Max Pacioretty or Steven Lorentz. He hasn't had the professional experience of Nikita Grebenkin, and Nick Robertson's explosion this preseason locks down his spot.

Not being ready at 19 isn't a death sentence, and you rarely see such young players ready for the big time. It takes a generational talent to break through that barrier, and to his credit, Cowan is talented though not in that upper echelon of a Connor Bedard, or Sidney Crosby. But what's the adage in sports?

There's always next year kid, and Cowan will make sure of it.

(h/t Sportsnet for quotes)