Just a few months ago, Easton Cowan was penciled in as a promising prospect-not quite ready for prime time, but someone to watch down the road. The plan was simple: get his feet wet in training camp, maybe earn a preseason look or two, then head to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to keep developing at a steady, manageable pace.
But hockey doesn’t always follow the script.
Cowan, fresh off a standout season with the OHL’s London Knights, was expected to need time adjusting to the NHL grind. The jump from junior to the big leagues is no joke-it’s a leap that has humbled plenty of talented players.
And early on, it looked like Cowan might be another name on that list. He wasn’t lighting up the stat sheet, and you could see the gears turning as he tried to process every shift.
It was a young player trying to be perfect instead of just playing.
Then something clicked.
Cowan started to play with the confidence that earned him a first-round selection. He stopped overthinking and started reacting.
The result? A young winger who now looks like he belongs-night in, night out.
He’s still making rookie mistakes (because of course he is), but he’s also making plays that turn heads. If you didn’t know he was just 20, you’d think he already had a couple playoff runs under his belt.
So where does this go from here? What does a best-case season look like for Cowan now that he’s not just surviving, but thriving? Let’s break it down.
1. Cowan Stays in the Top Six-and Earns It
Back in September, the idea of Cowan holding down a top-six role in Toronto’s forward group felt like a long shot. He was supposed to be fighting for a roster spot, not a key role. But here we are, and the only real question now is: who gets to play alongside him?
No matter the line he’s on, Cowan is driving play. The high-danger metrics back it up-he’s second on the team in raw chances at even strength, and first in percentage share.
Translation: when Cowan’s on the ice, the Leafs are generating the bulk of the quality scoring opportunities. That’s not just impressive for a rookie-it’s rare.
Head coach Craig Berube clearly sees it too. He’s trusting Cowan with meaningful minutes: offensive-zone faceoffs, late-game shifts, and tough matchups.
There’s no sheltering here. That kind of trust doesn’t come easy, especially from a coach known for demanding accountability.
Cowan’s earning it shift by shift.
2. A 45-Point Rookie Season Is on the Table-and It’s No Fluke
Right now, Cowan is tracking toward the high 30s in points. But if his trajectory continues-and there’s every reason to believe it will-he’s got a real shot at finishing in the 40-to-45-point range.
His underlying numbers tell the story. At even strength, Cowan ranks among the Leafs’ most efficient forwards in expected goals.
Only John Tavares and Auston Matthews are ahead of him in expected-goals differential. That’s elite company.
And don’t overlook his power-play impact. Quietly, Cowan boasts the highest expected-goals percentage of any Leafs forward on the man advantage. He’s not just riding shotgun on a loaded unit-he’s actively contributing.
What stands out most is how sustainable his game looks. He doesn’t rely on lucky bounces or inflated shooting percentages.
He gets to loose pucks first. He finds soft spots in coverage.
He creates turnovers that lead to chances. These are habits that translate over time.
They’re not going away.
3. Cowan Might Be the Rookie Toronto’s Been Waiting For
It’s not just what Cowan is doing-it’s what he’s doing to the players around him. Linemates are better when he’s with them.
That’s a rare quality, especially in a 20-year-old rookie. Most young players are just trying to keep up.
Cowan’s already elevating others.
He plays with pace and purpose. He’s not cheating for offense.
He doesn’t sulk after mistakes-he resets and goes again. There’s a maturity to his game that suggests this isn’t just a hot start.
It’s the foundation of something bigger.
Call it leadership if you want. Maybe that’s a bit early. But it’s clear he has the kind of presence that teams rally around.
With Matthew Knies stepping into a larger role and helping cover the void left by Mitch Marner’s dip in production, the Leafs needed someone to complement that effort. The early answer? Easton Cowan-the rookie no one was banking on to make this kind of impact this soon.
Final Thoughts on Cowan’s Breakout
For a player who was supposed to be logging heavy minutes in the AHL right now, Cowan has completely rewritten the narrative. He’s not just hanging on to a roster spot-he’s pushing the envelope and forcing the coaching staff to rethink what’s possible.
And perhaps more importantly, he’s giving the organization something it hasn’t had in a while: a young forward who’s not only exceeding expectations, but raising the bar for those around him.
There’s still a long season ahead, and plenty of challenges to come. But if Cowan keeps trending this way, the Maple Leafs may have found a key piece for both the present and the future.