Maple Leafs’ Top Prospect Easton Cowan to Sit Out Season Opener

Toronto Maple Leafs fans eager to see top prospect Easton Cowan make his NHL debut will have to wait a little longer. Head Coach Craig Berube has announced that Cowan will be a healthy scratch for tonight’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.

Cowan, a first-round pick (28th overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, had a strong training camp and preseason, leading to speculation that he would crack the opening night roster. His impressive performance with the London Knights last season, where he tallied 29 goals and 69 points in 46 games, further fueled the excitement surrounding his potential. He continued his dominant play in the OHL playoffs, adding 13 goals and 39 points in just 17 games.

Despite the anticipation, Coach Berube has decided to take a cautious approach with the young forward. "He's up here with us, so we're happy about that," Berube said. "We don't want him sitting out, we want him playing. We chose tonight that he will not play".

The decision to scratch Cowan comes as a surprise to some, especially after General Manager Brad Treliving indicated earlier in the week that Cowan would only be on the NHL roster if he was going to play.

While Cowan will not be on the ice, being in the building for opening night offers some benefits. He will be exposed to the energy of a regular season game with a packed arena and passionate fans.

The other healthy scratches for the Maple Leafs tonight are defenseman Philippe Myers and forward Sammy Blais. Blais, who was recently claimed off waivers from the Canadiens, may need more time to integrate with the team.

With Cowan sidelined, Calle Jarnkrok is expected to slot into the fourth-line right wing position, playing alongside Steven Lorentz and Nicolas Roy.

Another forward who has impressed during training camp is Nick Robertson. Robertson will start on the third line with Dakota Joshua and Max Domi. Coach Berube praised Robertson's scoring ability and work ethic throughout the preseason.

In goal, Anthony Stolarz is the projected starter for the Maple Leafs, with Joseph Woll on leave due to a personal matter. Stolarz is expected to receive the majority of starts to begin the season.

Veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly emphasized the importance of a strong start to the season. "You want to try and have a good start, and I mean, at the end of the day, the team stuff really comes first," Rielly said.

The Maple Leafs will face off against the Montreal Canadiens at 7:00 p.m. EST at Scotiabank Arena. While Easton Cowan's debut will have to wait, fans remain optimistic about his future with the team.