Easton Cowan’s Rookie Season: Development or Detour?
Easton Cowan came into this season with a full head of steam. After dominating in junior hockey - where he wasn’t just a standout, he was the engine driving the whole team - there was real buzz about what he could bring to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But nearly halfway through his rookie campaign, it’s fair to say things haven’t quite taken off the way some expected.
That’s not a knock on Cowan. Making the leap from juniors to the NHL is one of the toughest transitions in hockey.
The pace, the physicality, the systems - everything ramps up. And like most young players, Cowan’s had his share of growing pains.
He’s been caught out defensively a few times, taken some untimely penalties, and those mistakes have occasionally ended up on the scoreboard. That’s part of the rookie learning curve.
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t feel like Cowan is being put in a position to grow through those mistakes - at least not consistently.
A Top-Six Skillset in a Bottom-Six Role
Cowan’s numbers through 43 games - seven goals and ten assists - don’t jump off the page, but they also don’t tell the whole story. He’s flashed the kind of vision and playmaking instincts that scream top-six potential. His ability to read the ice, make smart passes under pressure, and create space suggests there’s a lot more in the tank.
The issue? He’s not getting the kind of minutes that allow him to fully tap into that skillset.
Most nights, Cowan is skating on the third or fourth line, sometimes logging under 10 minutes of ice time. On other nights, he’s been a healthy scratch altogether.
It’s tough to develop rhythm, confidence, or chemistry when your role is constantly shifting - or when you’re not playing at all.
When he has been bumped up the lineup, Cowan’s shown flashes. He’s looked more engaged, more dangerous, more like the player we saw in junior.
Yes, the mistakes are still there - but that’s part of the process. The only way to smooth out those rough edges is through real, meaningful ice time.
Craig Berube’s Veteran Lean
Under head coach Craig Berube, there’s been a clear lean toward experience. That’s not unusual, especially for a coach trying to stabilize a team with playoff aspirations. But it does raise questions about how younger players like Cowan are being integrated.
Berube has leaned heavily on veterans in key situations, and that’s understandable. But development doesn’t happen in the press box.
If Cowan is going to be part of this team’s long-term core - and all signs suggest the Leafs see him that way - then he needs a runway to grow. That means living with some mistakes in exchange for long-term gains.
Would the AHL Have Been Better?
It’s a fair question: would Cowan have been better served starting the year with the Marlies?
In the AHL, he’d be logging top-line minutes, seeing time on the power play, and getting real reps against grown men - just in a slightly less punishing environment than the NHL. That kind of setup could’ve allowed him to build confidence, work through mistakes, and develop the offensive side of his game without the pressure of trying to earn every shift.
Instead, he’s been stuck in a bit of a no-man’s land - too talented to ignore, but not trusted enough to be fully unleashed.
What Comes Next?
Cowan’s rookie season is far from a failure. He’s shown he belongs at this level.
The question is whether the Leafs are giving him the best opportunity to thrive at this level. Development isn’t just about talent - it’s about timing, usage, and trust.
Right now, the Leafs are walking a fine line between protecting a young player and potentially stalling his growth.
There’s still plenty of time for Cowan to carve out a bigger role. But if Toronto wants to maximize what they have in him, they’ll need to make a decision: either give him the kind of minutes that allow him to grow into his game, or let him do that in the AHL, where he can play a starring role.
The kid’s got the tools. Now it’s about finding the right environment to let them shine.