Easton Cowan [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/easton-cowan-renting-former-maple-leafs-prospect-fraser-minten-s-place-for-first-season-in-toronto] had the goal of making the Toronto Maple Leafs out of training camp this year, and he might've just accomplished it. The 19-year-old wrapped up his pre-season on Saturday night against the Detroit Red Wings, playing 19:10, the third-most ice time among Maple Leafs forwards [https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tor/2025/10/04/2025010100/boxscore] behind Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok. Cowan has played in five of Toronto's six pre-season games during training camp. Despite Cowan not scoring in any of those matchups, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube regularly raved about the young forward's game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/he-s-done-what-we-asked-him-to-do-easton-cowan-remains-on-fourth-line-as-maple-leafs-lineup-begins-to-take-shape]. After every game and practice, it appeared more likely that Cowan had locked in a spot on Toronto's opening night roster. David Kampf going on waivers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/making-sense-of-the-timing-behind-maple-leafs-decision-to-place-david-kampf-on-waivers] and clearing on Saturday afternoon was another sign that he might make the team ahead of their season-opener on Wednesday. But how does Cowan feel his training camp went? "I felt like throughout camp I got better and better each and every day. Obviously, the numbers weren't there, but I felt like I played a good 200-foot game," he said on Saturday night. "I felt really good with my game and I know if I keep working in practice on my shot, eventually the chances will go in. So yeah, I felt like I had a really good pre-season." Maple Leafs' Lines Change After David Kampf Placed On Waivers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/345a8350-a43f-4da7-aa00-2f8d9b47c50c.jpeg] Maple Leafs' Lines Change After David Kampf Placed On Waivers The Toronto Maple Leafs are making changes to their lineup with <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-scott-laughton-week-to-week-with-lower-body-injury">Scott Laughton out week-to-week</a> with a lower-body injury. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-lines-change-after-david-kampf-placed-on-waivers] There was likely one lineup spot up for grabs on the Maple Leafs when training camp opened a few weeks ago. With Scott Laughton's injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-scott-laughton-week-to-week-with-lower-body-injury], a second opportunity has opened. Cowan's likely done enough to take up one of those openings. However, the regular season is different from games during training camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/anthony-stolarz-makes-40-saves-and-other-takeaways-from-maple-leafs-pre-season-loss-to-red-wings]. It's real. And your opponents are going to give you everything they have on any given night. Nevertheless, does Berube believe Cowan is ready for the next step? "Yeah, I think he is," Berube answered swiftly [https://x.com/dalter/status/1974659581914824831] on Saturday night. "I mean, we got decisions to make, but I think he showed us enough that he is ready. I mean, he's got a motor on him. Just constant work and he's got a high IQ, and I like him a lot." Why The Maple Leafs Aren't Worried About Auston Matthews' Goal-Scoring Entering New Season [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8ddc67a4-9177-498f-9eca-c74858c04a0d.jpeg] Why The Maple Leafs Aren't Worried About Auston Matthews' Goal-Scoring Entering New Season <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-see-massive-16-percent-increase-in-franchise-valuation-by-sportico">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> head coach Craig Berube says fans shouldn't be worried about Auston Matthews not scoring after the forward battled an injury for most of last season. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-aren-t-worried-about-auston-matthews-goal-scoring-entering-new-season] Cowan says he came into this training camp with a different mindset [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/has-easton-cowan-s-previous-experience-as-a-4th-liner-set-him-up-for-similar-role-with-the-maple-leafs]. "Just a free mindset," he added. "I felt like I did a good job of that, not worrying too much. And I felt like it led to good hockey for me... "I'm learning what it takes to be a pro, learning what helps my body, how to recover, how to prepare for a game, so I'm getting better at that. Just looking to keep getting better each and every day." The Maple Leafs will have a day off on Sunday before preparations begin for the club's home opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Cowan, who can bounce between the NHL and AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/easton-cowan-adds-size-reveals-what-it-will-take-to-make-maple-leafs-roster-out-of-training-camp] without going through waivers, could very well be in the lineup for that game. As a Maple Leafs fan growing up, what would that mean to him? "It would mean everything. That's what you dream of as a kid. So yeah, we'll see." Latest stories: Nick Robertson Faces ‘Groundhog Day’ Feeling Ahead of Maple Leafs’ Final Preseason Game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/nick-robertson-faces-groundhog-day-feeling-ahead-of-maple-leafs-final-preseason-game] Maple Leafs' Final Pre-Season Lineup Revealed Ahead Of Game Vs. Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-final-pre-season-lineup-revealed-ahead-of-game-vs-red-wings] Maple Leafs' Lines Change After David Kampf Placed On Waivers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-lines-change-after-david-kampf-placed-on-waivers]
