Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has followed Mitch Marner's junior footsteps, winning a Memorial Cup with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, but he hasn't been in contact with the player yet since Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights after nine seasons with the Leafs. Cowan looked to a player like Marner as a mentor, but also understands that it's a business. As one player leaves, it creates an opening. "He meant a lot to me. You know, happy for him," Cowan said after the first day of the 2025 Maple Leafs Development Camp in Etobicoke. "Opportunities open up for other players. But yeah, super happy for him." Marner was one of several players who sent Cowan congratulatory texts when his team won the 2025 Memorial Cup. In many ways, the return to the Junior level and winning the championship provided validation to a player who seemed ready for professional-level hockey. Why the Maple Leafs Are Expected to Target Top-Six Forward Help Through Trades, Not Free Agency [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6cb53a5a-ef97-4c55-aa31-4bfaa877208e.webp] Why the Maple Leafs Are Expected to Target Top-Six Forward Help Through Trades, Not Free Agency The Toronto Maple Leafs have a Mitch Marner-sized hole in their lineup opted for a sign and trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. But when the clock struck noon for the opening of free agency, the Leafs were quiet. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-are-expected-to-target-top-six-forward-help-through-trades-not-free-agency] Cowan took home Memorial Cup tournament MVP honours, the same trophy Marner won with the Knights in 2016. Selected 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Cowan has been a bit of a late bloomer, but now looks like he could be a top-six forward in the NHL one day. It may not happen this season, but as long as the Leafs don't dangle him in a trade as they look to fill the spot that Marner vacates, it will be interesting to see if the player gets in some NHL action this season. Marner has actively engaged with Cowan, demonstrating genuine interest in his progress. Following Cowan's return to the OHL after being a final cut from the Maple Leafs' training camp last year, Marner encouraged him to "Just go and have fun. Do your thing. Be the leader that you can be and keep trying to achieve great things in London." 'Be The Leader That You Can Be': Mitch Marner Offers Message to Easton Cowan After Maple Leafs Send Forward Back to OHL's London Knights [https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XAQdDsJQ/poster.jpg?width=720] 'Be The Leader That You Can Be': Mitch Marner Offers Message to Easton Cowan After Maple Leafs Send Forward Back to OHL's London Knights Cowan was sent back to the London Knights on Monday as the Maple Leafs finalized their opening-day roster. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/be-the-leader-that-you-can-be-mitch-marner-offers-message-to-easton-cowan-after-maple-leafs-send-forward-back-to-ohls-london-knights] Marner also emphasized the opportunity to "get better and learn more things" under the London Knights' coaching staff, specifically mentioning the Hunters. Cowan himself has noted Marner's advice to "never take anything for granted". But with Marner gone, the Leafs have an opening for a top-six winger. Cowan, if he excels at camp could demonstrate the ability to help fill the void. On the flipside, the Leafs, who had already traded other young prospects like Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin, could use Cowan as bait for a trade. Either way, Cowan doesn't seem fazed. "That's on them, that's what they do," Cowan said. "For me, it's playing hockey, and you work focusing on what I can do, and that's you know I to get better to make the NHL, and that's my mindset this summer." Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs Contract [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/031043c7-6c20-442c-9a4b-2c0ec61a96ef.webp] Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs Contract Mitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/mitch-marner-reveals-when-he-knew-he-d-test-nhl-free-agency-while-under-maple-leafs-contract] (Photo credit Toronto Maple Leafs on YouTube) Fight Breaks Out at Maple Leafs Development Camp Between Matthew Hlacar and Rhett Parsons [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/463616ab-9273-44cd-ac73-04c558202d95.webp] Fight Breaks Out at Maple Leafs Development Camp Between Matthew Hlacar and Rhett Parsons We have a fight on day one of Toronto Maple Leafs development camp. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/fight-breaks-out-at-maple-leafs-development-camp-between-matthew-hlacar-and-rhett-parsons] No New Contract From Maple Leafs Was ‘Tough,’ Says Pontus Holmberg [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/be9171a8-12e0-4fb4-b61a-cf47c535c104.webp] No New Contract From Maple Leafs Was ‘Tough,’ Says Pontus Holmberg Pontus Holmberg spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since signing a new two-year contract worth $1.55 million per season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although he seemed happy to be getting a raise with his new NHL team, he did describe the emotions of the past few days that saw his former club not tender him a qualifying offer. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/no-new-contract-from-maple-leafs-was-tough-says-pontus-holmberg] Why Toronto-Born Michael Pezzetta Signed A Two-Year Contract With Maple Leafs: 'I Couldn't Pass Up On That' [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/38ca448e-f325-40a3-b5dd-451b03082fd9.webp] Why Toronto-Born Michael Pezzetta Signed A Two-Year Contract With Maple Leafs: 'I Couldn't Pass Up On That' Michael Pezzetta is living his childhood dream. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-toronto-born-michael-pezzetta-signed-a-two-year-contract-with-maple-leafs-i-couldn-t-pass-up-on-that]
