Maple Leafs HC Craig Berube makes his thoughts known on Easton Cowan’s chances of making the roster

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube shared his thoughts on the possibility of rookie Easton Cowan making the club out of camp this season.

Berube, speaking to the media on Thursday, offered little in the way of an update regarding the 20-year-old’s chances of cracking the Maple Leafs’ lineup:

"I can't answer that question.... I'd be putting him in a bad spot, us in a bad spot, everybody in a bad spot by saying what he has to do to make the team. Just keep playing. We'll make decisions with time."

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Maple Leafs HC Craig Berube makes his thoughts known on Easton Cowan’s chances of making the roster

The comments, as quoted by Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, highlight how the club is taking a measured approach with Cowan. While expectations are relatively high for the former first-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft, the Maple Leafs won’t rush him into the lineup.

Cowan has the potential to become a solid top-six forward, but Berube and Toronto’s management won’t push him into a roster spot before he’s ready

The remainder of camp will determine if Cowan can force his way in. Otherwise, he may head down to the Toronto Marlies until he’s ready to take on a regular NHL role.

Easton Cowan at the forefront of Craig Berube’s picks to make team

During an appearance on the Kyper and Bourne show published Sept. 25, Justin Bourne and Nick Kypreos discussed the possibility of Easton Cowan making Craig Berube’s opening-night lineup.

The consensus for both Kypreos and Bourne is that Cowan is at the forefront of making the team.

Kypreos stated:

“We’re talking about one of the best players in Junior Hockey last year… how does that not buy you the first 10 games of the regular season?”

He added:

“Where you want him to be is developing and playing. So, you can find out in the first 10 games whether or not he can keep up, and bring energy to your team, which you desperately need with youth and enthusiasm.”

Inserting Easton Cowan into the lineup could allow Berube to inject a younger element into what is mostly a veteran core. Newcomers like Dakota Joshua, Nic Roy and Matias Maccelli offer upside, but don’t bring the youthful exuberance Cowan provides.

Craig Berube ultimately faces a difficult decision. Putting Cowan in the lineup would come at the expense of a current roster player, which is why it may take the rest of training camp to determine whether that’s feasible.