Easton Cowan's opportunity to make the Toronto Maple Leafs just improved

On Tuesday news broke from Chris Johnston that disgruntled Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson was not coming down from his demand to be traded and this may have opened the door a little wider for Easton Cowan to snag onto a spot on the roster.

The Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 first round pick skyrocketed on prospect charts with his outstanding 2023-24 season that saw him suit up as the second youngest player on Canada's World Junior team last Christmas and was capped off with an Ontario Hockey League championship which resulted in an OHL MVP, OHL Playoff MVP and OHL First Team All-Star selection.

One thing is for sure and that is Cowan is too good for the Ontario Hockey League, but he is too young to be sent to the American Hockey League Toronto Marlies due to the agreement between the NHL and CHL.

This would mean that Cowan should be in the NHL as there is really no where else for him to play. Adding to the chances that he makes the NHL in October is the Nick Robertson situation.

Can Cowan seize huge opportunity

There was always a good chance that Cowan would end up in the NHL this year because of the AHL rules, his overall skill level and the Leafs need for contributions from cheap players, but with Robertson off the team, and barring a surprise addition to the roster, it would now be shocking if Cowan wasn't on the team next year.

While it is not an ideal situation for the Maple Leafs to have Robertson demanding a trade and the likelihood of him not reporting to camp, Cowan can easily fit that role if not do a better job than the 2019 second round pick. If the season starts with Cowan, Knies and McMann breaking camp as the top three left wingers, Berube will have the option of switching the trio around in the top nine to find what best fits the mold of the team.

While there are rumours that general manager Brad Treliving is shopping around for another left winger I don't think that this will cause Cowan to be sent back to junior as Cowan was always likely to make it this year whether Robertson was reporting or not. This just increases his chances from very good to near certain.

All a player can ask for is an opportunity and Cowan's chance is now wide open for him.