Craig Berube's big roster move hints at long-term plan for Maple Leafs prospect

Prospect Easton Cowan has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies again this Wednesday. This move allowed the Maple Leafs to activate Scott Laughton from injured reserve for the game against the Utah Mammoth.

Cowan, 20, has played in 10 games in the 2025-26 NHL season so far, recording one goal and three assists. Head coach Craig Berube gave him irregular minutes with looks on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, and time on the power play, but without a fixed role night to night. Cowan practiced as a healthy scratch and left the NHL lineup. Sammy Blais and Calle Jarnkrok also skated as extras.

The 20-year-old forward was assigned to the AHL on Oct. 6, but was quickly recalled to the NHL on Oct. 8. The most recent move to send him back with the Marlies gives us clues about Berube's long-term plans.

What is Craig Berube's plan with Easton Cowan?

Four weeks passed between the recall on Oc. 8 and Cowan's assignment to the AHL on Wednesday. Berube could have a clear plan in mind for the prospect.

The usage patterns and the timing of the two assignments could mean that the Maple Leafs coach has a preference for blocks of continuity at a single level before new recalls each week.

Berube could be thinking of sending Cowan to the AHL so that they give him a top-six role with 18-20 minutes per night and time on the first power-play unit to consolidate rhythm, confidence and habits. Afterward, the coach could evaluate recalls in specific windows, for example, when there are injuries or favorable matchups.

The time the young forward spends with the Marlies is going to be key to understanding his role, but Berube could plan to call him up to the NHL when he strings together weeks of sustained production and high-game drivers in the AHL. If there are injuries in the top-nine, it would also make sense to recall him to complement Matthews, 28, and Knies, 23.

By prioritizing blocks of continuity, Berube would avoid interrupting Cowan's progress. Being three to four weeks at a specific level would consolidate his system habits, timing on the power play and, above all, his confidence, because he wouldn't be called up as an extra, but with a clear role.