Easton Cowan focused on himself as he fights for roster spot with Maple Leafs in 2025-26

Could this be the year we see Easton Cowan break through to the big leagues?

Drafted 28th overall in 2023, the 20-year-old is considered one of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top prospects, with some impressive numbers in the OHL with the London Knights the past few years. This week, he’s back for another edition of the Leafs’ development camp, as he works on finding his way to the NHL this fall. Asked if he thinks he can grab a roster spot this season considering the Leafs depth, the young winger said he’s focused solely on himself and what he can control.

“I’m just worried about myself,” Cowan said. “I have the chance to get a job. That’s up to me to go out there and show what I can do and play my game. Still a couple months away, so I’m gonna take every day, day by day, and just keep getting better.”

Cowan is coming off a big season with the Knights. He led the OHL in playoff scoring with 39 points in 17 games, en route to London’s second-consecutive league championship. Then in the Memorial Cup, Cowan finished first in points for the second year in a row, scoring the game-winning goal to capture the trophy for the third time in Knights’ franchise history.

“I felt really good with my game,” Cowan said. “Similar to last year, I felt when the games got bigger I got better. Those are the games I love to play in, when there’s a lot of people watching and there’s high stakes.”

With that in his rearview, the Mount Brydges, Ontario native is focused on a summer of improvement, with his priorities being his puck management and strength training. This week he’s focusing on the latter, as the Leafs have opted to keep him off the ice for development camp after a busy season of hockey, with the goal of putting on some pounds this summer. According to NHL.com, Cowan currently weighs in at 185 lb., and he said “190 would be nice” by September.

Meanwhile, Cowan was also asked about Fraser Minten, the former Leafs prospect who was dealt to the Boston Bruins at this year’s trade deadline in the package to acquire Brandon Carlo. Despite Minten’s departure, Cowan said they still talk every day, having formed a close friendship as Toronto prospects.

“That one hurt a lot,” Cowan said, of the Minten trade. “Ever since I got to Toronto, he’s been great to me, and he’s taught me a lot … Super great guy, I wish him nothing but the best.”

There’s no doubt the pressure is on for Cowan this summer, especially following the departure of Mitch Marner on the wing, but so far he’s taking it all in stride. And at this rate, there’s a good chance he’ll be lacing up his skates with the Toronto Maple Leafs come this October.