Photo Credits: Steve Russell / Toronto Star / Getty Images
As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, analysts and fans have been projecting their lineups. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, some believe Easton Cowan might be pencilled into the opening-night lineup when the Maple Leafs’ season begins on October 9th against the Montreal Canadiens.
Easton Cowan’s development took a massive step in the right direction this season. In 54 games in the OHL, Cowan scored 34 goals and had 62 assists for 96 points. He won the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player and also claimed the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the MVP of the OHL Playoffs.
Toronto selected Easton Cowan in the first round, 28th overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft. With spots open on the wing. Toronto’s management will decide whether to keep him or send him back to the OHL. Cowan was one of the final cuts last season at Maple Leafs training camp, an experience he will use as motivation. Cowan commented on this during the Maple Leafs’ development camp in July with The Hockey News reporter David Alter, saying, “Yeah, I think it just helped me a lot.”
Cowan making the Leafs out of training camp is possible, as Fraser Minten made the team last season, playing in four games.
Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager of Player Development Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser praised Cowan during development camp, stating, “I think he’s going to make a push. It’s always hard to take that jump from junior to the NHL.”
If Cowan does make the Maple Leafs roster out of training camp, he will benefit from playing with potential linemates such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander. I believe that if Cowan plays a full season in the NHL, he will make a strong case for winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.
Cowan will be competing with many other rookies this season, including Matvei Michkov, Macklin Celebrini, and Logan Stankoven.
On Bet365, Easton Cowan’s odds to win the Calder are +5000. While not the best odds, it remains possible, given the talent on Toronto’s roster.
The last time a Toronto Maple Leaf won the Calder Memorial Trophy was Auston Matthews during the 2016-17 season. He finished with 69 points, the most by a rookie that season.
