Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Easton Cowan is finally rolling for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the rookie’s spark comes at a perfect time for a team craving energy and youthful punch.
Don’t look now, but 20-year-old Easton Cowan is heating up, having collected points in four of his last five games, stacking four points over that stretch while looking faster, sharper and far more confident with the puck.
His pace shows up every shift, which appeals to Leafs coach Craig Berube, and the poise that defined his junior career is beginning to translate into NHL success after numerous grade A chances.
Cowan never panicked during his early season quiet patch. He kept pushing his routes, finishing checks and trusting that his reads would sharpen. Teammates noticed the persistence, and coaches began giving him more rope as his details improved.
The reward arrived this past week. Cowan’s touches look more purposeful, his battles more controlled and his decision making noticeably quicker. For a young player in a high-pressure market like Toronto, that growth stands out.
Easton Cowan showing the upside Toronto Maple Leafs expected
Fans are starting to see the version of Cowan that dominated the OHL, the one who could tilt a shift by outworking and outthinking his peers. What impresses most is not the production alone but how calmly he navigates plays under pressure.
While “Cowboy” has tallied just 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points across 17 games this season, his points-per-game pace does not tell the whole story, as the Mount Brydges, Ontario native could easily have 14 or 15 points right now with how well he has played and how many chances he’s had.
There is also a refreshing maturity to his game. Cowan rarely forces a pass or overstays a rush, and his second efforts have helped extend possessions for linemates who thrive on sustained pressure. The Leafs trust him defensively, too, a rare sign of faith for such a young winger.
As his confidence grows, the conversation around him is shifting. He is no longer the rookie simply trying to survive NHL pace; he is becoming an actual driver of momentum. If he keeps stacking performances like this, Cowan could turn into the depth scoring boost Toronto badly needs.
For now, the Leafs will enjoy a young sparkplug heating up at the perfect moment, and Cowan looks ready to keep climbing as the Leafs move to 11-11-3 on the season.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily