Easton Cowan is with the Toronto Maple Leafs on opening day. But he won't see any game action.
The top prospect was recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies ahead of the Maple Leafs' season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday (Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT).
However, head coach Craig Berube told reporters that he would be a healthy scratch.
In a corresponding move, fellow forward Jacob Quillan was sent down to the AHL.
Cowan, 20, seemed set to make the Maple Leafs throughout most of training camp until a late injury to centre Scott Laughton led to a line shuffle, leaving Cowan on the outs.
General manager Brad Treliving said Tuesday that the goal of sending Cowan down was to give him consistent playing time.
"He's not on the roster today and we'll see what happens tomorrow," Treliving told reporters. "He's right there ready to play for us. We want to manage it appropriately. If he's going to be playing with us here, great. But if not, I want him playing."
The Mount Brydges, Ont., native is making his first push into the pros after spending the past four seasons in the OHL. In 46 games with the London Knights last season, Cowan potted 29 goals and 69 points to help lead the Knights to their third-ever Memorial Cup.
Toronto selected Cowan 28th overall in the 2023 draft.
