What a difference a day makes. After a series of calculated roster moves and a cautious development plan, rookie Easton Cowan has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight, taking reps on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.

From Paper Transaction to Top Line Player

Easton Cowan’s season started with a bit of administrative maneuvering. He didn’t officially make the opening day roster, instead being sent to the Toronto Marlies purely for salary cap purposes before an immediate recall the next day. Since rejoining the big club, Cowan has been skating as an extra, well outside the Leafs’ top-12 forward group.

The organization’s plan was clear: develop the promising rookie the right way by sheltering his minutes and deploying him in defense-first, bottom-six roles. Sometimes, however, even the best-laid plans get thrown for a loop.

A Lineup Shakeup Born from Desperation

Following an embarrassing team effort and an injury to forward Steven Lorentz, everything changed. At today’s practice, Cowan found himself skating on the right wing of the first line. While seeing the rookie alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies is a likely long-term goal, it certainly wasn’t where the team envisioned him this early in the season.

Cowan on the right side with Matthews and Knies. #Leafs

— Terry Koshan 🇺🇦 (@koshtorontosun) October 12, 2025

The promotion appears to be a last-ditch effort by the coaching staff to find an internal solution for their top line. Matthews and Knies have yet to find consistent chemistry with new addition Matias Maccelli. Compounding the issue, an injury to Scott Laughton has forced Max Domi back to playing center, further scrambling the lines. This move signals the team is running out of internal options to fill the void left by Mitch Marner’s departure.

Is Cowan Ready for This Role?

Personally, I am a huge fan of Cowan’s game, but I’m not sure this is the best use of him this early in his career. However, this is a role he excelled in with the OHL’s London Knights, where he consistently played with more talented linemates and elevated their play. Cowan is an incredible complementary player, but the question remains: is he ready for that role at the NHL level right now?

With the Leafs set for a 2 p.m. rematch against the same Detroit Red Wings team tomorrow, the team desperately needs a spark. If they show up with the same lack of effort they displayed last night, the noise from the fanbase is going to get loud, and fast.