Maple Leafs send Easton Cowan to AHL, activate Scott Lawton on IR – Hockey Writer – NHL News
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that forward Easton Cowan has been traded to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. They also activated Scott Laughton from injured reserve, who will make his debut tonight (Nov. 5) against the Utah Mammoths.
Maple Leafs F Easton Cowan has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
F Scott Laughton has been activated from IR.
—Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 5, 2025
Cowan was one of several options for players sent to the AHL, but was the only one not to require waivers. In 10 games with the Maple Leafs, he scored 1 goal and 4 points. He averaged 12 minutes and 33 seconds per game, often playing alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Nurse, Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua. He was successful on both lines.
Players like Cowan could always benefit from being in the AHL. For a 20-year-old skill forward, he made the jump to the NHL after three full seasons of dominance in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). For Cowan, the upcoming time in the AHL may not be too long, and when NHL clubs need forwards, he will definitely be the next one to be called up. This is a great opportunity for him to develop his style more and become more comfortable.
Lawton missed the first 13 games of the season with a lower-body injury in the preseason. The Maple Leafs acquired him to bolster their center lineup; however, the results didn’t quite live up to expectations. He finds himself in a fourth-line role with the Maple Leafs, but the hope is that he can adapt better with some action and a new season.
Now that Lawton is back, he’s been listed on the fourth line along with Max Domi and Steven Lorenz and will have a chance to get back into game shape. There’s been quite a bit of movement on the Maple Leafs’ defensive line, and the hope is that Lawton can come in and stabilize at least one line, allowing others to settle in.
