What to expect from top Leafs prospect Easton Cowan in his NHL debut

It’s a big day, Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

It’s Game 2 of 82. A chance to beat an Original Six rival, the Detroit Red Wings. And perhaps one of the most interesting subplots of the night? The debut of top prospect Easton Cowan.

The 20-year-old will slot into a regular-season game for the first time three years after the team made him a first-round pick. It’s a huge night for Toronto’s most notable young player, and perhaps the only rookie in the system with a legit chance at being a long-term top-six forward.

Cowan’s preseason was a mixed bag, finishing with just two assists in five games. But you could see his confidence growing with every single outing. Toronto GM Brad Treliving even mentioned wanting to see him play, so the decision to sit him for the season opener was a bit surprising.

“We want to manage (Cowan’s playing time) appropriately,” Treliving said. “If he’s going to be playing with us here, great. But if not, I want him playing.”

Cowan is a good skater with strong puck skills, and he’s smart, too. The real appeal, beyond that, is how energetic he is. He wants to win every single shift. That’s why his lack of production at the World Juniors was notable – and why he was visibly frustrated the entire time. Cowan wants to win and has already achieved a lot in his young career with the London Knights. Anything short of that isn’t good enough. That’s why many Leafs fans have fallen in love with him – he brings a level of passion many criticize Toronto’s core for lacking over the past few years.

While Cowan has added some muscle and size to his frame since the 2023 NHL Draft, utilizing that to his advantage against pro players is a different task altogether. Continuing to add muscle mass without sacrificing anything else that makes his game so dangerous will allow him to become an even more effective NHL player. It feels like he’s physically stronger by all accounts, but there were some drills in training camp where you wanted him to battle more. Still, it feels like he’s in a good spot for someone who doesn’t have a size advantage over the rest of the league.

Cowan, a natural center, likely has a better path to the NHL on the wings. It’s difficult for a 20-year-old center to break through and Toronto has a few options down the middle, even after the injury to Scott Laughton. They’re a bit weaker on the wing, which would allow for Cowan to earn more ice time early on. That way, you take some of the responsibility away and allow him to focus on his own game while leaning on his veteran center for help. Scoring depth has been a question mark for the Leafs for a few years now. As it stands, Matias Maccelli is likely getting plenty of ice time up front, and we know William Nylander and Matthew Knies aren’t leaving the top six any time soon. It’ll be interesting to see how coach Craig Berube uses him throughout the season, and how creative they get. Tonight, it’s all about getting experience. Looking good in the preseason is one thing, but the real-deal action is a whole other animal. Cowan seems to take his game up a notch when the pressure is on (the World Juniors were a one-off rough showing), and he’ll have a perfect opportunity here on Hockey Night in Canada to prove what he’s capable of. Whether Cowan should stick in the NHL long-term or not is one thing. But right now, in this moment, it’s hard not to be excited about one of Toronto’s most exciting prospects in over five years. Toronto hasn’t had much young talent come through the ranks in recent years. Nick Robertson was one of the most recent examples, but he’s still finding his footing in the NHL. Hopefully, with Cowan, they continue taking his development slow and maximize his playing time, whether it’s with the Maple Leafs or the Toronto Marlies. While Cowan’s potential ceiling can be debated, it’s hard to deny that he’s ready for at least some NHL action. He’s finally getting that tonight – and the fanbase will be watching closely.