The Toronto Maple Leafs open their 2025-26 NHL season on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.
They'll do so with their top prospect on their roster.
They announced Wednesday that Easton Cowan has been recalled from the AHL to be on the Maple Leafs' opening night roster.
This doesn't guarantee that Cowan actually takes the ice against Montreal, but it certainly seems like a strong possibility.
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The No. 28 overall pick in 2023 is 20 years old and now is regarded as a top-50 prospect in the sport, and the best in Toronto's organization.
Cowan is a 6-foot tall center who has dominated for the London Knights in the OHL over the past two seasons (253 points in 144 games since being drafted).
Cowan played in five of the Maple Leafs' six preseason games, and head coach Craig Berube was impressed.
Berube was asked if Cowan is ready to play in the NHL, and this was his answer, via TSN:
“Yeah, I think he is. We got decisions to make, but I think he showed us enough that he is ready. He’s got a motor on him. You know, he impresses me with his motor. Like, he’s just constant work and he’s got a high IQ. I like him a lot.”
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This preseason, Cowan had two assists, and he felt good about his overall game.
“I felt like throughout camp, I got better and better each and every day,” Cowan told TSN. “Obviously, the numbers weren’t there, but I felt like I played a good 200-foot game and I felt really good in my game. I know if I keep working in practice on my shot, eventually the chances will go in. So, yeah, I felt like I had a really good pre-season.”
The kid has arrived, and now we'll see if the Maple Leafs give him a chance to shine.
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