{"id":443955,"date":"2026-02-03T21:16:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T21:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/443955\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T21:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T21:16:21","slug":"why-have-the-maple-leafs-wasted-easton-cowans-rookie-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/443955\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Have the Maple Leafs Wasted Easton Cowan\u2019s Rookie Year?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Easton Cowan<\/a> has been one of the more curious stories for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. After absolutely tearing it up in juniors, where he was basically carrying his team on every shift, you\u2019d expect him to jump into the NHL and make a big impact right away. So far, that hasn\u2019t really happened.<\/p>\n

Now, I get it. Jumping from juniors to the NHL is huge. Actually, it\u2019s almost a whole different game. No surprise that Cowan has made some defensive mistakes and taken a few penalties that ended in power-play goals against. That\u2019s normal for a rookie. <\/p>\n

Still, you get the sense he\u2019s not being set up to really show off. Feels like he\u2019s just there to fill space while the vets take center stage.<\/p>\n

Cowan Is a Top-Six Talent, But He\u2019s Getting Third-Line Minutes<\/p>\n

Right now, Cowan is mostly on the third or fourth line, sometimes playing nine minutes a night if he\u2019s lucky. Often, he\u2019s even been a healthy scratch. He\u2019s got seven goals and ten assists in 43 games. That\u2019s neither good nor bad, depending on how you look at it. <\/p>\n

Still, it doesn\u2019t tell the full story. His vision, his passing, his ability to read the play. All that suggests top-six ability. So why isn\u2019t he getting the chance to actually do that?<\/p>\n

Berube clearly leans on veterans and seems a bit wary of giving rookies bigger roles. But when Cowan has played higher up, he\u2019s looked dangerous, even if mistakes happen. That\u2019s just part of learning. If he never gets consistent opportunities, how is he supposed to grow?<\/p>\n

\"EastonEaston Cowan of the Maple Leafs hasn\u2019t had a good rookie season. Is it his fault?<\/p>\n

Maybe the Marlies Were Better for Him, Who Knows?<\/p>\n

Honestly, if Berube isn\u2019t going to give Cowan a top-six spot, maybe he should have just been sent down <\/a>to the AHL\u2019s Toronto Marlies. There, he could play first-line minutes, run the first power-play unit, and really develop his offensive game against men, not just juniors.<\/p>\n

With the Marlies, he\u2019d get ice time, make mistakes, and actually build some confidence. Sitting frustrated on the Maple Leafs\u2019 bench or in a limited role isn\u2019t going to help him much.<\/p>\n

Cowan\u2019s first year in the NHL doesn\u2019t have to set the tone for his career, but right now, how he\u2019s being handled matters. The Maple Leafs have to decide whether to give him a real shot or keep him on the bench in limited minutes. Either way, it\u2019s hard not to get frustrated.<\/p>\n

Related: Analyst Not Against the Maple Leafs Trading Joseph Woll<\/a><\/p>\n

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