Maple Leafs could have surprise player on opening night lineup

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be saving a surprise for their lineup for the Oct. 8 season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.

According to Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, prospect Easton Cowan could be part of the fourth line on opening night, due to his great performance in training camp.

Cowan, 20, was practicing on the fourth line with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz, being preferred over players like Nick Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf. The young forward had already drawn praise from coach Craig Berube. 

"He has done what we asked him to do, the hounding part of the game, the work ethic, and the compete, playing predictable, playing direct. For me, he’s done that so far in camp, and he’s done it in the games too," said Berube.

Why giving Cowan a fourth-line role is a smart move for the Maple Leafs

Berube's message is clear. Performance and maintaining a high daily standard are more important than a resume.

Giving Cowan minutes in the NHL, with a controlled role, would accelerate his learning in timing, physical capacity and reading without the puck, at a low cost. Playing with Laughton and Lorentz also reduces the risk of costly mistakes.

Players like Robertson would stay in competition, which is an opportunity to remain as alternatives for injuries or rotations. If they perform well with limited ice time, Toronto could later sell them for a good price. 

Berube is looking to build a game system with positional discipline and physical responsibility, and Cowan aligns perfectly with that. The Maple Leafs must win now and generate an immediate impact. But they also need players who perform above their cost to sustain the long season ahead.