The Toronto Maple Leafs have assigned forward Easton Cowan to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, as announced on Wednesday.
Easton Cowan, 20, has appeared in 10 games this season, tallying one goal and four points. The 6-foot winger last played in the Maple Leafs' 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. He was listed as a scratch during team skates on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cowan was selected 28th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Draft. He played a key role in leading the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League to a Memorial Cup championship last season, where he earned the tournament MVP honors.
In a related move, the Maple Leafs activated center Scott Laughton from injured reserve. Laughton is set to make his season debut Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth after recovering from a lower-body injury that sidelined him at the start of the season.
The 6-foot-1 center joined Toronto last season via trade from the Philadelphia Flyers. He recorded 13 goals and 31 points over 80 games split between the Flyers and Maple Leafs.
“Maple Leafs F Easton Cowan has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL). F Scott Laughton has been activated from IR.”
Summary: The Maple Leafs reassigned promising rookie Easton Cowan to the AHL as Scott Laughton returns from injury, balancing their roster for the season's next phase.