Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Easton Cowan

Aug 11: CapFriendly has the full breakdown of Cowan’s three-year entry-level contract, which carries a $935.8K cap hit. Cowan has an $82.5K minors salary in all three seasons of the deal, which is slide-eligible for two seasons if he plays less than ten NHL games in each season.

2023-24: $830K salary, $92K signing bonus
2024-25: $842K salary, $93.5K signing bonus
2025-26: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus

Aug 10: Being there only once in the first four rounds of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed 28th overall selection Easton Cowan to a three-year, entry-level contract, per a team announcement. Cowan will continue his junior career not too far from Toronto, as he is once again scheduled to suit up for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League next season.

In his first full season in the OHL, Cowan played well, scoring 20 goals and 33 assists in 68 games for the Knights as a 17-year-old. More impressive than his regular season point production, Cowan was incredible in the playoffs, scoring nine goals and 12 assists in 20 games. He would help lead the Knights all the way to the OHL Championship series, eventually losing to the Peterborough Petes in six games.

Two of the best qualities in Cowan’s game are his hockey intelligence and speed. He was largely able to out-maneuver most opponents due to his creativity matching up very well with his quickness. If the Maple Leafs are able to keep their current group intact, Cowan should fit in rather nicely to their top six down the line.

Per the NHL-CHL transfer agreement, Cowan is not yet eligible for the American Hockey League, and it is highly unlikely that he will get a look at the NHL level this season, even if only for nine games. At least for next year, and potentially the year after that, Cowan will likely continue to grow his game in the OHL, hoping to make his mark on the Original Six organization in the near future.