Easton Cowan Sent Down to the Marlies, But It’s Not What You Think

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs officially sent Easton Cowan down to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) yet it’s nothing to do with his up and down play; but a key roster decision.As the Toronto Maple Leafs head into the Scotiabank Arena trying to make it three victories in a row, they are going to be getting a ket reinforcement back in Scott Laughton, who is making his season debut.

Leafs Forced Into a Move They Didn’t Want to Make

However that means a roster move was needed, and the team has made the tough decision to send rookie forward Easton Cowan down to the Marlies to make room for Laughton.

The move was announced by the official Maple Leafs PR account on X:

Maple Leafs F Easton Cowan has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

F Scott Laughton has been activated from IR.

Cowan skated in 10 games for the Maple Leafs this season, registering four points (1 goal, 3 assists) and a plus-1 rating in 12:33 TOI; he was drafted 28th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

It’s Not About Performance — It’s About the Cap

It’s a move that the team necessarily didn’t want to make but given the current circumstances, it was necessary.

Laughton returning meant someone needed to go, and at the risk of losing Sammy Blais on waivers, and knowing that Cowan is going to get his chances again and is waiver exempt (essentially a free roster move) so he was the best to go.

The team had to keep Dakota Mermis around, if only because they are dealing with an injury to Chris Tanev, and their forward contingent is pretty much healthy now, and with the return of Joseph Woll soon; it’s almost the team we expected.

Cowan no doubt impressed, and Craig Berube clearly loves his game but he also knows that the veterans around can keep Toronto consistent, and when the time comes, he’ll likely be the first call-up.

For now though he will get a chance to give the Marlies a massive boost offensively while also making sure he made enough of an impression to be called upon once again.

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Easton Cowan Sent Down to the Marlies, But It’s Not What You Think

Should Toronto have demoted someone else instead of Easton Cowan?