For the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans, the 2025-26 NHL season is already shaping up to be a fascinating ride, packed with fresh faces, high hopes, and more than a few lingering questions. After a turbulent offseason that saw the Leafs move on from star right winger Mitch Marner and lose a nail-biting Game 7 to the Florida Panthers in the second round of last year’s playoffs, the team is in the midst of a significant transition. But as the dust settles, one thing is clear: the next generation is stepping up, and no one is grabbing the spotlight quite like Easton Cowan.
It’s hard to overstate how much the narrative around Cowan has shifted in just a few short months. Coming off a spectacular MVP season in the OHL in 2023-24 and a strong showing for Team Canada at the U20 World Junior Championship, expectations were high. Yet, a quieter offseason and an initial demotion to the AHL seemed to temper the hype. Many assumed Cowan would need more seasoning before making an NHL impact. But, as the season kicked off, Cowan didn’t just prove he belonged—he proved he could thrive, quickly earning a spot alongside stars Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the Leafs’ top line.
Replacing a player of Marner’s caliber is no small feat. For months, speculation swirled that Max Domi or Matias Maccelli would be first in line to fill the void. Instead, Cowan has emerged as a viable option, bringing a blend of hockey sense, puck skills, and relentless competitiveness that’s quickly winning over fans and coaches alike. As one observer put it, Cowan’s “grit and skill to turn puck battles into scoring chances” is already translating into real results. While it’s unfair to expect him to match Marner’s production immediately, Cowan’s presence is changing the dynamic of the Leafs’ forward group in meaningful ways.
Of course, this changing of the guard has ripple effects throughout the lineup. Maccelli, who enjoyed his best seasons on a checking line with the Arizona Coyotes alongside Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse, now finds himself in a new role—potentially flanking John Tavares and William Nylander. The big question for Maccelli is whether he can solidify himself as a bona fide middle-six forward or if he’s destined for a more circumstantial spot in the top nine. Domi, too, is in the mix, competing for ice time and looking to leverage his positional flexibility. Even Nick Robertson is part of the conversation, though his playmaking isn’t quite at the same level as the others.
Coach Craig Berube has his work cut out for him. With the forward group in flux and chemistry still developing, Berube is mixing and matching line combinations, trying to find the right balance. There’s talk of keeping forward duos like Tavares and Nylander together while experimenting with different third-line options. Calle Jarnkrok, who looks much healthier this season, has been a steady presence in the middle six, while players like Bobby McMann and Dakota Joshua are also vying for bigger roles. As the season progresses, and with the trade deadline always looming, the search for the ideal fit alongside Tavares and Nylander could become a major storyline.
Meanwhile, the Leafs’ long-term outlook is just as intriguing as their current campaign. The front office has been busy ensuring that the core remains intact, with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, Morgan Rielly, and Anthony Stolarz all locked up for at least three more years. John Tavares, now in his age-35 season, signed a four-year extension earlier this year, providing both stability and veteran leadership as the team’s second-line center. While Tavares may be showing signs of age, especially in terms of speed, his effectiveness on the power play and his ability to mentor younger players like Cowan are invaluable assets.
Looking even further ahead, speculation is already swirling about the possibility of superstar Connor McDavid one day donning the blue and white. McDavid, who recently signed a two-year, $25-million extension with the Edmonton Oilers, is committed to chasing a Stanley Cup in Edmonton—for now. The Oilers, fresh off back-to-back Stanley Cup final appearances (both ending in heartbreak at the hands of the Panthers), have doubled down on their core by adding proven scorer Andrew Mangiapane and locking up Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. But McDavid’s new deal expires in 2028, and with the Leafs projected to have around $70 million in cap space that offseason, Toronto could be a prime destination if he decides to test free agency.
“It’s about winning, and that’s always what I’ve preached,” McDavid told reporters after inking his extension. His competitive fire is well known, and if the Leafs continue to build a contender, the Newmarket, Ontario native might just be tempted to return home. With key pieces in place and a wave of young talent developing—including Cowan, who could be entering his prime by 2028—the Leafs could offer McDavid both the supporting cast and the resources to make a serious run at the Cup.
But that’s a story for another day. For now, the focus is on the present, where the Leafs are navigating a season of transition and opportunity. The loss of Marner stings, no doubt about it, but it also opens the door for players like Cowan to carve out a place in Leafs lore. The emergence of Cowan, along with strong training camp performances from prospects like Ben Danford, Jacob Quillan, and Luke Haymes, signals that the pipeline is alive and well. It’s a reminder that, as the core ages and the stakes get higher, the Leafs will need every bit of their prospect depth to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving NHL.
Of course, the pressure is always on in Toronto. Every losing streak, every dry spell from the team’s stars, and every new face in the lineup is scrutinized by a passionate fan base hungry for the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 1967. The stakes are high, and the margin for error is slim. But there’s also a sense of excitement—a belief that, with the right mix of youth and experience, this team could finally break through.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Easton Cowan and the rest of the Leafs’ new-look forward group. Can they rise to the occasion and fill the void left by Marner? Will Berube find the right combinations to unlock the team’s full potential? And, looking further down the road, could Toronto become the landing spot for the game’s biggest star? For now, the answers are still being written on the ice. But one thing’s for sure: there’s no shortage of storylines in Leafs Nation this year.
