The Maple Leafs’ hunt for defensive help may be getting expensive in a hurry.
Toronto has been looking for a blueliner for some time, and NHL insider David Pagnotta said the kind of defenseman the Leafs really want does not come cheap. If the target is a young, high-end player such as Simon Edvinsson or Alexander Nikishin, Pagnotta said Easton Cowan would likely have to be part of the return.
“If you want someone like Edvinsson or Nikishin, you’re going to have to give up Easton Cowan,” Pagnotta said. “I don’t think Toronto wants to do that, and I don’t think the fans want to see it either. But you’re going to have to pay a premium to get either of those types of players.”
Cowan’s name has already been floating around in trade chatter this season as Toronto continues its search on the back end. The Leafs are apparently willing to pay up for a top-pair defenseman, but there’s hesitation when it comes to moving Cowan in a deal for a player in that class.
That same young forward was front and center on Tuesday night, turning in the best game of his career in a 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Cowan finished with a goal and two assists, helping the Leafs take control after Jake Christiansen gave Columbus a 1-0 lead at 2:38 of the first period. Toronto answered quickly when newly acquired Kirill Marchenko scored on the power play at 8:16 to tie it 1-1.
“It was especially nice for sure, but I tried to think about my game,” Marchenko said via NHL.com. “I try to focus on things that I can control.
It's my game, my shifts, like work hard. It's obviously a special game, fun and everything, but happy to play here, happy to be back.
And thank you again for all fans, for everybody who's been here when I was here for four years. I have only positive notes."
The Leafs then took over in the second period. William Nylander made it 2-1 at 2:25, Auston Matthews pushed the lead to 3-1 less than a minute later, and Cowan added a short-handed goal to make it 4-1. Jack Roslovic later scored to stretch Toronto’s lead to 5-1 before the second intermission.
Columbus got one back early in the third when Charlie Coyle scored at 4:13, but Marshall Rifai finished off the scoring for Toronto at 16:58.
In Other News...
Easton Cowans Breakout Just Made A Leafs Decision Much Harder
Easton Cowan has spent the early part of the season doing more than just flashing promise, and that has quietly changed the conversation around him. Through 11 games, he has piled up 10 points while giving the Leafs real value away from the puck, too, with a growing role on the penalty kill and strong underlying numbers at 5-on-5.
The most encouraging part for Toronto is how complete the impact has been. Cowan has already shown he can help in transition, create offense and disrupt plays defensively, which is why his rise now feels bigger than a hot start. He is still a restricted free agent in 2028-29, but if this level holds, the next Leafs decision on him is only going to get more expensive. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Get An Early Boost That Could Change Everything Up Front
The trade chatter around the league is starting to pick up, and that always puts Toronto on alert for what might shake loose up front. With names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin and several Pittsburgh veterans already in the rumor mill, the market has a way of forcing contenders and buyers to adjust quickly, especially when a club like Vancouver is looking more like a seller than a team ready to stand pat.
One of the more interesting situations to watch is Jake DeBrusk, who may need to decide whether to signal any openness to movement before his no-movement protection gets tighter. At the same time, Edmonton is getting Ryan Nugent-Hopkins back from injury, a return that should matter both in five-on-five usage and on the power play, and those kinds of lineup boosts can ripple through the trade picture faster than anyone expects. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Just Got Another Intriguing Option For More Size Up Front
Torontos search for more heft up front has put another name on the board, and this one fits the profile the Maple Leafs have been chasing. Dmitri Voronkov has drawn interest from Toronto as the Blue Jackets consider their options, giving the Leafs a potential swing at a winger whose game is built around size, physicality and enough offensive touch to help a middle-six role.
The 26-year-old has been productive over the past three seasons, averaging 19 goals and 19 assists, and he is still under team control beyond this year as a restricted free agent. For the Leafs, the appeal is obvious: a big body who can change the look of a forward group. The question is whether Columbus decides the right move is to keep shopping, and whether Toronto is willing to push hard enough to make the fit work. [Read more 🡒]