Here’s the latest on Easton Cowan and his assignment to the AHL Marlies:
- Cowan was assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) after spending time with the Maple Leafs, as the team adjusted its roster to accommodate other players. This move happened during the 2025–26 season, reflecting the organization’s plan to continue his development in the minors.[3][4][5]
- He finished his NHL stint with 11 goals and 29 assists in 66 games and was in the Maple Leafs’ top-six discussions, which helps explain why the organization used a temporary demotion to push for roster flexibility and development time.[2]
- There were follow-up notes about his postseason eligibility and potential recall, indicating the Marlies serve as a vehicle for him to get consistent playing time and stay in the NHL conversation for future seasons.[7]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official Leafs press release or the Marlies game logs to verify exact dates and current status, and I can cite them precisely.
Sources
Easton Cowan's first NHL stint is over.
www.sportsnet.caEaston Cowan and Jacob Quillan have been sent down to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in a paper transaction to ensure AHL playoff eligibility, per Anna Dua.
www.yardbarker.comMaple Leafs' Easton Cowan: Heading to AHL
www.cbssports.comThe 2023 first-round pick recorded four points in 10 games with the Maple Leafs this season.
www.nytimes.comMaple Leafs' Easton Cowan: Joining Marlies for postseason
www.cbssports.comWhile the Maple Leafs' post says Akhtyamov was sent down, it was indeed Hildeby, given he had been with the NHL club for their final game of the regular season. Both Hildeby and Akhtyamov are now with the Marlies.
thehockeynews.comThe Toronto Maple Leafs assigned rookie forward Easton Cowan to the AHL on Wednesday.The move was made to accommodate Scott Laughton coming off injured reserve in time for his season debut Wednesday. Cowan is the only player within the Leafs' crowded forward group who doesn't require waivers to be sent down.Cowan made the roster out of training camp and has produced one goal and three assists in 10 games while averaging 12:33 per contest. Toronto drafted Cowan 29th overall in 2023.
www.thescore.comThe Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Wednesday that they have sent forward Easton Cowan down to their AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies. In a corresponding move, the Leafs have activated veteran forward Scott Laughton off of injured reserve to make his season debut on Wednesday night at home against the Utah Mammoth.
www.yardbarker.comThe Toronto Maple Leafs announced a flurry of roster moves on Friday, headlined by goalie Joseph Woll being activated from his conditioning stint. The move indicates that Woll could be in line to make his season debut on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
www.yardbarker.com