Leafs at the Crossroads: Why Easton Cowan Needs to Be in the Lineup as Toronto Looks Ahead
For the first time in a decade, the Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the NHL Trade Deadline not as buyers, but as sellers. Eight points out of the second wild-card spot in the East, and with the clock ticking on a season that’s slipped away, the focus has shifted.
The playoffs are a long shot. The priority now?
The future-and the young players who might define it.
That starts with Easton Cowan.
Toronto’s under-25 group is thin, but promising. Matthew Knies has already cemented himself as a foundational piece.
Nick Robertson has shown flashes-especially in January-and could be a trade chip depending on how aggressive the Leafs want to be in reshaping their roster. But Cowan is the name that looms largest right now, not because he’s the team’s best player, but because he represents where this franchise is headed.
There’s no question Cowan has hit a bit of a wall lately. His January wasn’t his best stretch-he hasn’t scored since January 12 against Colorado, and his turnover in overtime against Detroit, picked clean by Moritz Seider, directly led to a game-losing goal.
That’s a tough moment for any rookie. But let’s not forget: this is still one of Toronto’s most consistent forwards this season.
Head coach Craig Berube benched Cowan ahead of Saturday’s shootout win over Vancouver, citing a dip in confidence. “He’s lost a little bit of his swagger, and that’s a big part of his game,” Berube said.
“Maybe he’s worried about making mistakes. Just little things like that getting in the way of him being successful.”
Fair enough. But even with the growing pains, Cowan remains one of the Leafs’ 12-best forwards-and arguably one of their most important ones to get ice time right now.
The numbers back that up: Toronto has a +6 goal differential at 5-on-5 when Cowan’s on the ice, and his expected goals share sits at 49 percent-right in line with the team’s overall rate. In plain English: when he’s out there, the Leafs are holding their own.
More than the stats, Cowan brings energy. He’s engaged, he’s physical, and he’s shown real chemistry with Robertson and Nicolas Roy. That kind of line development matters, especially in a season where the Leafs are no longer chasing the Cup, but trying to figure out who’s part of the next core.
So why is Calle Järnkrok getting minutes over Cowan? Or Steven Lorentz, for that matter?
With nothing left to play for but pride and progress, it’s time to lean into the youth movement. Cowan should be in the lineup every night.
Jacob Quillan-who was recently sent back to the Marlies-should probably be up too. And while we’re at it, why not give Cowan a shot on the top line next to a red-hot Auston Matthews?
Max Domi’s been fine, but Cowan’s ceiling is higher, and this is the time to test that out.
The Leafs are entering a new phase, whether they like it or not. The “win-now” window that’s defined the last several years is closing, and a new identity is forming.
Knies is part of it. Cowan needs to be too.
Robertson? We’ll see-his contract’s up at the end of the year, and he might be on the move depending on what kind of offers come in.
But right now, it’s about giving the kids the keys and seeing who can drive.
With the Olympic break on the horizon and pro scouts circling Toronto’s roster like hawks, this is a pivotal stretch. The deadline will bring change. The only question is whether the Leafs will use the rest of this season to build something new-or cling to what’s already slipping away.
One thing’s clear: Easton Cowan belongs in the lineup.