Maple Leafs Make Huge Decision on Easton Cowan's Immediate Future

Easton Cowan, Toronto Maple Leafs forward, during game action

It's been one of the big mysteries of the early season for the Toronto Maple Leafs: When will Easton Cowan make his NHL debut? That's now been answered definitely, as their 20-year-old top prospect is set to make a stunning pro debut on the Leafs' top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on Monday.

Easton Cowan is set to make his NHL debut at home on Monday, October 13 on Toronto’s top line, per @markhmasters. pic.twitter.com/8WF0lSUM5e
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 12, 2025

The Leafs lost their second game of the year on Saturday night in Detroit to the Red Wings by a score of 6-3. And for the second straight game, Cowan was an onlooker from the press box. Now, head coach Craig Berube is ready to shake things up and throw the rookie right into the fire.

Cowan says he's "super-excited"... I'm ready for this."

🚨🎙️ Easton Cowan on his NHL debut on Monday:

“I feel like I’m ready for this, so I’m just gonna take it all in, enjoy it, and have some fun…

I’m just excited to play and to have my family and friends come support me, and obviously I wouldn’t be here without them.”

🎥:… pic.twitter.com/mj5lOFPfc8
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) October 12, 2025

Easton Cowan calls impending NHL debut 'surreal'

“It’s definitely surreal,” Cowan told The Athletic, “but I’ve never felt this ready.”

Once again, the top line with Matthews, Knies and Matias Maccelli on the wing was not a real factor in the loss to the Red Wings, same as in the season opener. Matthews, at least, looked a little more involved, and had six shots on goal, compared to just one in the opener.

Maccelli, as per practice lines on Sunday, will slide down to the second line, alongside John Tavares and William Nylander.

With Steven Lorentz going out of the lineup with an upper-body injury suffered Saturday night, it opened up a spot for Cowan, and a shuffling of the lines all around.

The Southern Ontario-born Cowan will have plenty of friends and family in the stands on Monday afternoon to see him make his pro debut.

He was Toronto's first-round pick (28th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft, and he dominated the OHL the past couple of years, helping lead the London Knights to back-to-back OHL titles and a Memorial Cup.

Now it's time to see how NHL-ready the Buds' No. 1 prospect is.