Surprising player to take top spot on the first line with Auston Matthews

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Tom Banks
July 25, 2024 (5:42 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have reworked their blue line this summer, but it appears they will rely on players within the organization to replace Tyler Bertuzzi.

Last year was another solid one for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and with Mitch Marner's injury, they tried out different players alongside Auston Matthews on the top line, ending the year with Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi on the wing. With Domi expected to take his place back on the top line, there's been questions about who could fill Bertuzzi's skates, with Marner expected to remain down the lineup to give the team scoring depth.

Bobby McMann is considered a genuine option, but now, another player has emerged, with OHL superstar Easton Cowan revealing his confidence in taking over that role before playing a single NHL game.

«I want to play in the NHL one day and I'm feeling very confident,» Cowan said at Maple Leafs development camp earlier this month. «I just have to come into camp, be a very reliable player, someone the coach can trust. I just have to learn game management a bit better and I think I'll be good.»

There's still plenty of improving for the 19-year old to do, but with 34 goals and 96 points in just 54 games for the OHL Champion London Knights, it's safe to say that the skill and the confidence have always been there.

Despite being undersized at 5-foot-11, Cowan has all the skill necessary to compete at the next level, as he showed off his shot, his hockey IQ and his playmaking all season long for London.

It's the shot that stands out, with 54 goals in Cowan's last 122 games played in the OHL, as Cowan could provide not only the top line with another threat from anywhere on the ice, but he could be a significant addition to a very talented powerplay.

His play style is reminiscent of Bertuzzi, who had plenty of success alongside Matthews, and while Cowan may not be the physical threat and passer yet that either Marner or Bertuzzi were, the offensive upside is so immense that it may be worth trying for the Maple Leafs.

Ultimately though, it's the confidence that separates Cowan from other prospects in the organization, and unless Toronto go back to Marner and play Matthew Knies on the top line, as predicted by Daily Faceoff, Cowan needs to be under consideration for the role.

Source: NHL.com
Cowan 'feeling very confident' in ability to land spot with Maple Leafs