Forward Easton Cowan will draw back into the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators, head coach Craig Berube confirmed to reporters.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported Saturday morning Cowan was expected to play against Ottawa.
Expect Easton Cowan to return to the Leafs lineup tonight.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 28, 2026
Cowan was a healthy scratch in each of Toronto’s first two games this week in Florida coming out of the Olympic break.
The Leafs lost both games, starting with a 4-2 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday and a lopsided 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers a day later. Toronto now sits eight points out of a playoff spot with six teams to pass entering play Saturday.
“I just feel like it’s time to get [Cowan] back in now and I don’t want him sitting out. He obviously needs to play, he’s a young kid, he’s a good player,” Berube said Saturday.
Cowan last played an NHL game on Jan. 29. Head coach Craig Berube said prior to puck drop Thursday he felt Cowan had hit a wall going into the break.
“At the time I took him out of the lineup, I felt [Cowan] hit a bit of a wall. We won three in a row, so I kept the same lineup going into the game against Tampa last night,” Berube told reporters.
“I don’t believe his development is being hurt. I believe he has improved this year as the year has gone along. He still has the swagger that’s needed. He’s a confident kid.”
The 20-year-old has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points while averaging 13:31 of ice time per game in 43 outings this season as a rookie.
He was selected No. 28 overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Draft.
