Easton Cowan Sent Down To Marlies
Easton Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, has been reassigned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies. This move came as Scott Laughton returned to the Maple Leafs' lineup after missing the first 13 games due to a lower-body injury.
Reason for the Demotion
The Maple Leafs were at their roster limit. Since Cowan was the only forward exempt from waivers, sending him down allowed the team to activate Laughton without breaching roster rules.
Cowan’s NHL Performance
- Scored his first NHL goal against the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Recorded one goal and three assists over his first 10 NHL games.
- Averaged 12:33 of ice time per game.
- Played in various lines, including the top line, and received power play minutes.
Current Status and Next Steps
Cowan took part in the Maple Leafs' morning skate on Wednesday before being sent down. The Marlies have begun a six-game road trip, starting with a game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday evening.
It remains uncertain how long Cowan will stay in the AHL. According to new rules introduced this season to limit paper transactions, Cowan must play at least one AHL game before he can be recalled, unless an injury occurs on the Maple Leafs roster.
"Barring an injury of any sort when the Maple Leafs face the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday night, Cowan must play in one AHL game before being able to be recalled to the NHL."
Benefits of Playing in the AHL
Time in the AHL could help Cowan develop further by allowing him to face less challenging competition while receiving top-line minutes across all situations.
Summary
Easton Cowan’s demotion to the Marlies is a strategic roster move that will let him gain valuable playing time in the AHL while the Maple Leafs adjust their lineup with returning players.