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Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Hiller, Cowan, Bobrovsky, MacEwen & Marchenko

Easton Cowan, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

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Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Hiller, Cowan, Bobrovsky, MacEwen & Marchenko

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Oct 27, 2026 9:35 AM ET

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The Toronto Maple Leafs had a night to forget in Calgary, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Flames after a game filled with turnovers, defensive breakdowns and missed chances. Head coach Jim Hiller didn’t spend much time looking for excuses afterward. The problems were clear, and they weren’t limited to one player or one line.

There were a few encouraging signs, however. Easton Cowan responded to a difficult first period, Sergei Bobrovsky made saves to keep Toronto within reach, and Zack MacEwen continued to provide energy in a limited role. But with injuries adding to the challenge, the Maple Leafs need more players to take responsibility. Hiller’s message was straightforward: this is a team problem, and the solution has to come from the entire group.

Easton Cowan Responded, but Hiller Wants More From the Entire Maple Leafs Lineup

Easton Cowan had a rough first period against Calgary, making mistakes that contributed to Toronto’s problems. He didn’t hide from them afterward, taking responsibility for his performance. Hiller appreciated that honesty, but he also made it clear that Cowan wasn’t going to carry the blame for a loss that involved mistakes throughout the lineup.

In fact, Hiller thought Cowan might have been Toronto’s best player after the opening period. The young forward responded with more energy and determination, showing the kind of reaction coaches hope to see after a difficult stretch. Hiller said Cowan had redeemed himself, adding that the youngster had worked hard and wasn’t his biggest concern. That’s a useful message for a young player trying to find his place in the NHL. Make a mistake, learn from it and get back to work.

But another part of Hiller’s comments was worth paying attention to. He said the Maple Leafs need that effort from Cowan right from the start, while also pointing out that other players must step up. It’s easy to focus on a young player because every shift becomes part of his development story. The veterans, however, have their own responsibilities. Toronto can’t expect Cowan or the other youngsters to make up for mistakes across the lineup. If the Maple Leafs want to get back on track, everyone has to respond.

Turnovers, Injuries and the Need for Someone to Step Up

Hiller identified turnovers as the biggest problem against Calgary. The Maple Leafs had done a better job of eliminating those mistakes during their previous four games, but that discipline disappeared against the Flames. As Hiller explained, Toronto turned the puck over too often and then failed to defend well enough when those mistakes happened. That’s a difficult combination to overcome, regardless of who’s in goal.

Hiller defended Bobrovsky, saying the goaltender gave Toronto a chance to come back and made plenty of good saves. He also praised MacEwen for making a positive impact despite playing only seven to nine minutes a night. Whether it was bringing energy through a fight, drawing a penalty or creating opportunities, MacEwen was doing the job expected of him. Sometimes a player doesn’t need to score to change the feel of a game.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zack MacEwen (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

The bigger concern is how Toronto will manage its lineup as injuries mount. Kirill Marchenko left the game in the second period and couldn’t return, leaving Hiller without a complete update. The coach acknowledged that somebody would have to fill the resulting holes, but he also made an important distinction: one player can’t compensate for a team that isn’t playing cohesively. The Maple Leafs need players to step up, but those contributions will mean little if the group continues giving the puck away.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Calgary loss doesn’t erase the good work Toronto did in its previous four games, but it shows how quickly things can unravel when the basics disappear. The Maple Leafs need to protect the puck, make better decisions in their own zone and give their goaltender more support. Those aren’t complicated instructions. Executing them consistently is the hard part.

Cowan’s response offers a little encouragement, and MacEwen continues to show that useful contributions come in different forms. Now the Maple Leafs need their experienced players to respond the same way. Hiller isn’t pointing a finger at one player, and we shouldn’t either. Toronto’s next step is to get back to playing as a connected team, because no single player can fix what went wrong in Calgary.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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