Maple Leafs Make a Final Decision on Top Prospect Easton Cowan's NHL Season

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Julien Trekker
October 7, 2024 (4:01 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a final decision on their top prospect, Easton Cowan, ahead of the start of the 2024-25 NHL season.

NHL teams had until 5 p.m. ET to make the final adjustments for their opening game roster. Fans were eagerly waiting to see who'd made the cut this year in Toronto, but after the organization confirmed that Pacioretty and Lorentz, the players under professional tryouts, signed standard contracts, it pretty much sealed the deal for multiple young players still in the big camp, including Easton Cowan.

It was officially announced on Tuesday afternoon by the Leafs that Cowan will return for a final season in the OHL with the London Knights.

Cowan, 19, tallied 96 points in the last season and 34 points in the playoffs. He also won the playoff MVP title for his big role his his team's championship win.

There's no doubt that he's ready for a bigger challenge. However, a rule in the CHL makes him ineligible to play in the AHL. CHL players under 20 who are cut from their NHL training camps must return to their junior team.

So it was either the NHL or the OHL for Cowan. Unfortunately, despite great performances in the rookie games, he couldn't keep the same level during the preseason games and showed that waiting another year before making the jump into the NHL could be beneficial for his development.

Considering that the Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of depth in their lineup, it's better for Cowan to play a lot of minutes down in the OHL than have a bottom-six role with the Leafs, who are under a lot of pressure to win now.

Cowan has a bright future in the NHL and it would be terrible to see the Leafs try to rush his development. Sending him down is the best long-term option.

London Knights fans will be able to watch him play soon. The OHL season is already underway, and the Knights' coaching staff will likely be eager to have Cowan back on their lineup as they look to win a second straight championship title.