Maple Leafs GM Addresses Easton Cowan's Trade Availability

John E&period; Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs GM Addresses Easton Cowan's Trade Availability

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 27, 2026 1:15 PM ET

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka made an unexpected comment about Easton Cowan’s future Monday.

While Chayka praised the young Leafs forward, he refused to label him as an untradable asset in potential trade talks.

Cowan has emerged as one of Toronto’s most important young players, scoring 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 14 games while playing alongside captain Auston Matthews on the Leafs’ top forward line.

Asked whether Cowan should be considered untradeable, Chayka refused that idea and left the door open for a potential swap involving the 21-year-old right winger.

John Chayka on Easton Cowan: “I don’t think any player is untradable, but he’s a good player. He is everything you’d want in a Toronto Maple Leaf. He loves the Leafs, is passionate about it, plays a 200-foot game, does whatever it takes, in the gym, doing extra on the ice.” – Per… pic.twitter.com/DZ3l1IvPBD
— R i N K Y (@RinkyReport) October 26, 2026

“I don’t think any player is untradeable, but he’s a good player,” Chayka said. “He’s everything you’d want in a Toronto Maple Leaf. He loves the Leafs. He’s passionate about it. Plays a 200-foot game. Does whatever it takes. You know, in the gym, doing extra on the ice. It’d be tough to ever improve on a player like that.”

Cowan’s play will surely make him a valuable piece and increase the potential return Toronto might get in exchange for him, but Chayka stopped well short of saying the Maple Leafs are actively shopping him.

Adding to the trade narrative, however, Chayka was also asked whether he would be comfortable making another blockbuster deal similar to the one that sent Matthew Knies to Columbus for Kirill Marchenko shortly before the season and made his mindset clear.

“Yeah,” Chayka said bluntly.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) celebrates with Easton Cowan (53).Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

On potential targets, Chayka acknowledged that acquiring a defenseman, or at least improving the team’s defense, is currently the main priority.

“There’s no doubt we need to improve our defensive play overall to reach our ultimate goals,” Chayka said. “But I don’t think a transaction is necessarily always the way to improve.

“My job is always to look to improve the team if possible, and we’ll continue to evaluate the market and see if there’s an opportunity.”

The Maple Leafs visit the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday at 10 p.m. after losing to the Calgary Flames on Monday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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