Easton Cowan Reveals Why It Will be Different With the Maple Leafs This Time Around

Maple Leafs top prospect Easton Cowan reveals the improvements he's made to his game that will help him earn a roster spot with the Maple Leafs this season.

A first-round pick in 2023, Easton Cowan had an underwhelming training camp last season before he ultimately returned to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

There, the 20-year-old capped off his junior career with an OHL Championship, a Memorial Cup and also earned Memorial Cup MVP honours. Cowan ultimately ended his junior career with 84 goals and 220 points in 175 regular season games and added 32 goals and 96 points in just 60 post-season contests.

Earlier in July, Cowan made his intentions clear heading into training camp that he wants to earn a spot on the Leafs' roster for opening night.

As he prepares for his second training camp, Cowan recently sat down with NHL.com's Dave McCarthy where he revealed the improvements he has made to his game that should help him earn a roster spot.

"This time last year, I wasn't as good as I am now. Just being able to manage the puck better, I've learned that a lot this year. Just managing the puck better. I know I have the skill and compete to play, it's just managing the puck, knowing when to make the risky play and when not to. I felt really good with my game. Similar to last year, I felt when the games got bigger, I got better and those are the games I love to play in, when there's a lot of people watching and there's high stakes."

Cowan faced a lot of scrutiny during the World Juniors last December, where many felt as though he underperformed in key moments. Cowan quickly silenced those critics during the London Knights' run to both the OHL Championship and Memorial Cup.

Regardless of whether Cowan earns a roster spot on the Leafs to begin the season or not, he will be fully integrated into the organization this season as he will not be returning to London. This time around it's the Leafs or Marlies, and Cowan feels as though he can make the jump to the NHL straight away. Hopefully, he's right.