The annual autumn ritual of roster-trimming in the NHL is a brutal exercise in mathematics and meritocracy. For every veteran holding their breath, there’s a prospect trying to force management’s hand. This year in Toronto, the math got a lot simpler thanks to one player who refused to be ignored. Easton Cowan, the Maple Leafs’ 2023 first-round pick, didn’t just knock on the door during this pre-season; he took a battering ram to it. And now, with the unequivocal endorsement of head coach Craig Berube, it appears he may have blasted his way onto the opening night roster.
The Berube Stamp of Approval
For those familiar with Berube’s coaching philosophy, praise is not handed out lightly. The former enforcer and Stanley Cup-winning coach values grit, intelligence, and an unrelenting work ethic above all else. Flashy, high-risk play rarely earns his favour without a bedrock of responsible, detail-oriented hockey to support it. So, when Berube speaks on a player’s readiness, it carries significant weight.
After watching Cowan compete in five of the six exhibition contests, Berube’s assessment was as direct as one of his old bodychecks. “He showed us enough that he is ready,” the coach stated, leaving little room for interpretation.
What did Berube see? It wasn’t just raw talent, but the attributes that translate into sustainable NHL success. He lauded Cowan’s “motor” and “constant work”—the very qualities that define a “Berube-type player.” He pointed to the 20-year-old’s high hockey IQ, a crucial element for a young player navigating the speed and structure of the professional game. While the team still has final “decisions to make,” Berube’s comments have all but confirmed that the final forward spot has Cowan’s name etched on it.
Even Berube’s mild critique following the pre-season finale—that Cowan “maybe tried to do too much at times”—was couched in a positive light, immediately clarified as “not from a lack of effort.” For a coach who demands maximum exertion, trying to do too much is a far more forgivable sin than not doing enough. It’s a sign of a player eager to make an impact, a trait that can be refined and channeled, not one that needs to be instilled.
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Beyond the Box Score: Building a Pro’s Game
If you were to judge Cowan’s camp solely by the scoresheet, you’d miss the entire story. With just two assists to his name through the pre-season, his offensive output wasn’t what turned heads. Instead, it was the maturity, physical development, and professional approach he brought to the rink every single day.
Cowan himself credited a “free mindset” for his strong showing, a conscious effort to avoid overthinking and simply play his game. That game, as he described it, was a “200-foot game,” an acknowledgment that his value wouldn’t be measured in goals alone but in puck battles won, forechecks finished, and defensive responsibilities met. He recognized he was in a constant state of learning, absorbing what it “takes to be a pro,” from on-ice systems to off-ice recovery and preparation.
That preparation began long before camp opened. Cowan arrived seven pounds heavier, a testament to a summer spent in the gym. “I’m definitely stronger, bigger & faster — it’s the best I’ve ever felt coming into camp,” he noted. That added strength was evident in board battles and his ability to withstand the physical demands of playing against men. He didn’t just look like he belonged; he played like it. He improved “each and every day,” demonstrating the linear progression that management and coaching staffs dream of seeing from their top prospects.
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Forging a Path on the Fourth Line
So, where does a high-energy, defensively responsible, and intelligent young winger fit into the Leafs’ lineup? All signs point to the fourth line, a role that may seem modest but could be the perfect incubator for his NHL career.
With an injury to Scott Laughton, the projected fourth line now appears to be a trio of David Kampf, Steven Lorentz, and Cowan. This combination presents a fascinating tactical dynamic. Kampf, should he clear waivers, is not just a placeholder; he’s a “functional bridge.” His elite defensive acumen and puck retrieval skills would provide a safety net, allowing Cowan the freedom to do what he does best: use his motor to relentlessly pressure the puck carrier and create chaos in high-pressure areas of the offensive zone. Kampf can win the draw and cover defensively, liberating Cowan to be the line’s primary offensive driver and disruptive force on the forecheck.
While Cowan saw some time on the second line in the final pre-season game, his immediate future and greatest value to the club is in providing depth, energy, and a tenacious identity to the bottom six—a crucial element for any team with championship aspirations.
The Dream Becomes Reality
As the 5 p.m. ET Monday deadline for final rosters loomed, Cowan planned a quiet Sunday watching football with fellow prospect Ben Danford, awaiting the phone call that would validate a lifetime of work. For a kid from Mount Brydges, Ontario, who grew up cheering for the team he now represents, making the opening night roster is more than just a professional achievement. “It would mean everything,” he said, the simple phrase loaded with the weight of childhood dreams.
Barring a last-minute reversal, that dream may become reality on Wednesday night. And it couldn’t be scripted any better. The opponent? The Montreal Canadiens. The setting? Scotiabank Arena. For Cowan, the work is just beginning. But after a camp where he proved his motor, his intelligence, and his unwavering commitment, there is no doubt he has earned the right to start his engine in the world’s biggest hockey market.
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