The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned rookie forward Easton Cowan to the AHL on Wednesday.
The move clears roster space for Scott Laughton‘s return from injured reserve. Laughton will make his season debut Wednesday night.
Cowan is the only player in Toronto’s crowded forward group who doesn’t require waivers to be sent down.
The 19-year-old made the roster out of training camp. He’s recorded one goal and three assists in 10 games while averaging 12:33 of ice time per contest.
Toronto drafted Cowan 29th overall in 2023.
The assignment allows the Leafs to maintain roster flexibility while giving Cowan regular playing time in the minors. He’s expected to rejoin the Marlies immediately.
Laughton’s activation from injured reserve fills Toronto’s forward lineup back to capacity. The team acquired him earlier this season but he hadn’t been able to make his debut due to injury.
