Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Fans expected that during the Olympic break that Easton Cowan may get some extra reps with the Marlies, but a forgotten rule has popped up to prevent him.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs on a two-week break thanks to the 2026 Milan Olympics, that means that most of their roster gets a rest and are able to get themselves focused on the rest of the season.
However many had the thought that before the break or perhaps a little later on, that the Maple Leafs would then demote Easton Cowan to the Toronto Marlies to give him some game reps during the downtime, and keep him ready for what lies ahead (and hopefully earn his way back into regular lineup time).
But there’s a little caveat to the situation that flat out prevents that from happening though.
Cowan can’t move down, as much as fans and Toronto might want him to
According to the rules of the NHL Olympic Roster Freeze (as per Puckpedia) teams who have waiver exempt players (like Cowan) cannot be sent down if they played the majority of the games heading into the break, or were on the roster for 80 days as of Jan. 21:
Players can be sent down if they are waiver exempt, except for players that played in 16 of the team’s 20 NHL games prior to the freeze, or have been on the NHL roster for 80 league days prior to Jan 21.
This is certainly a rule that applies to Cowan considering that he definitely played the majority of games, and also has been on the roster since the opening of the season.
Cowan, 20, has really struggled over his past nine games with only three assists, a minus-four, six penalty minutes and eight giveaways in only 11:15. It’s clear Craig Berube doesn’t want to force him out there, and has acknowledged this is all part of the ‘rookie experience’ so to speak.
In 43 games, the rookie has 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists),a plus-two, 14 PIM as well as 23 blocks and 45 hits in 13:31 TOI.
While he hasn’t been bad, he still has a lot of room to grow and if the Maple Leafs want their best prospect to make sure he’s in the best possible spot, they should look to maybe play him more (especially if they sell).
So while fans expected Cowan to get some more reps during this Olympic break, it might not be long before he gets a lot more minutes. Not because he earned them, but because Toronto needs bodies in the lineup.
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The Easton Cowan move fans expected? The Leafs can’t do it because of one rule
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