Maple Leafs Debuting Easton Cowan In Top-Line Role
Earlier today, Mark Masters of TSN revealed Toronto’s lines at practice, and confirmed that Easton Cowan appears all set to make his NHL debut on the Leafs’ first line tomorrow versus the Red Wings.
The lights could not be much brighter for Toronto’s standout prospect, an Ontario native who grew up rooting for the team, to debut on Auston Matthews’ wing against Detroit tomorrow at home. Originally drafted 28th overall in 2023, Cowan quickly emerged as a standout with the London Knights, helping lead the marquee franchise to back-to-back OHL titles and a Memorial Cup. With Cowan up top, Matias Maccelli, an intriguing pickup from the Leafs during the offseason, will slot in with John Tavares and William Nylander, still a great spot for the talented playmaker as he finds his role in Toronto.
Although Cowan had a slight statistical regression in his final season with London (96 points to 69) while also appearing in 8 fewer games, the hometown youngster is Toronto’s undisputed top prospect with legitimate top-six potential. As is a challenge for any cap-constrained team vying to extend their contention window, the emergence of players such as Cowan is critical. It is especially the case for the Leafs, given their lack of high draft picks in previous years, along with Mitch Marner’s departure, and the trading away of fellow key prospect Fraser Minten last season. Toronto was able to strike gold with their 2021 second round choice, Matthew Knies, and they hope Cowan will follow the same blueprint, soon injecting more youth into the club.
At just 20, and having yet to play professional hockey at all, Cowan could end up back in the AHL at some point, but the Leafs have placed their prospect in an incredible opportunity to succeed right away. Many eyes will be on Cowan and how he rises to the occasion, filling in for for the currently injured Steven Lorentz. The awaited-debut will come tomorrow afternoon.
Afternoon Notes: Kleven, Player Fines, Devils
This afternoon TSN’s Bruce Garrioch updated that Tyler Kleven expects to play tomorrow, as the Sens host Nashville in an afternoon tilt. Garrioch also mentioned Drake Batherson, who remains sidelined, but is still expected to return sometime this week, as noted yesterday. Having both been injured in training camp, last week it was speculated that the pair of Senators could possibly have appeared for the team’s season opener. While that was not the case, it appears Batherson and Kleven are on the cusp of a return, joining the one-win, one-loss club with high expectations this season.
Elsewhere across the league:
- This afternoon, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced a pair of $2,500 fines from infractions during Saturday’s games; the recipients being Ian Cole and Tyler Myers. Cole caught discipline for what was noted as a “dangerous trip” on Steven Stamkos. Next, fellow veteran Myers was fined for slashing Connor McDavid. Cole was caught up in a bizarre play with Stamkos, where both players ended up in the box as the Nashville forward’s stick struck Cole as he came down from the trip. Meanwhile, Myers was looking to box out attackers around Thatcher Demko, business as usual for the 6’8” defenseman, when he swung his stick upward, catching McDavid in the groin area, leading to a minor penalty.
- With newcomer Evgenii Dadonov likely to miss multiple weeks with a fractured hand, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now speculated earlier today on how the lineup should adjust. Nichols pointed out prospect Shane Lachance as deserving of an opportunity to be called up for his NHL debut. Acquired from Edmonton by New Jersey in the three-team deal headlined by Trent Frederic last season, Lachance, a former 6th-round pick has become a standout prospect for the Devils. After two respectable seasons with Boston University, the 6’5” forward turned pro last season, appearing in two games with AHL Utica, netting a goal and an assist. Although he has yet to find the scoresheet early on this season with the Comets, Lachance has the frame to slot into any lineup. Nichols also mentioned exciting rookie Arseny Gritsyuk as a candidate to move up to a top-line role, perhaps holding down the fort for his mentor, Dadonov. Regardless, it is a tough blow for a Devils’ club which is all too familiar with injuries to key players.
Alex Lyon Set To Start For Sabres
After a number of moves of late, the Buffalo Sabres are set between the pipes, at least for now; as Alex Lyon will start tomorrow’s game against the Rangers. Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald wrote that the veteran is dialed in, treating it as “just another game.”
While the mindset is admirable, there will be considerable pressure on Lyon to fill in adequately for injured starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Already such uncertainty in net is unfortunate for a Sabres club that desperately needs a strong start. Despite signing a two-year deal in Buffalo over the summer, Lyon did face competition in camp. Along with top prospect Devon Levi, who was reassigned to AHL Rochester, Buffalo brought in a notable name in Alexander Georgiev, who cleared waivers earlier today. Finally, the team claimed Colten Ellis on waivers two days ago, who will back up Lyon for now. Ellis, 25, is an intriguing pickup given his impressive AHL stats in the Blues organization, however, the Nova Scotia native has yet to play in the NHL.
It’s fair to say that a tandem of Lyon and Ellis is questionable at best, however, Lyon will look to prove any doubters wrong, and as he told Hoppe, it is nothing new as his path to the NHL has not been easy. Originally undrafted out of Yale, Lyon spent four seasons mainly with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with spontaneous call-ups for the Flyers. After stops in Carolina and Florida, where he helped lead the Chicago Wolves to the 2022 Calder Cup, Lyon established himself as a full-time NHLer with the Red Wings, posting a respectable 2.81 GAA last season. The performance earned Lyon some security in a multi-year deal with Buffalo, but the Sabres were probably not expecting that the signing was bringing in their day-one 2025-26 starter.
Now, in what could finally be a do-or-die year for the Sabres and their well-stocked young core, the 32-year-old faces what may be the biggest test of his career. It starts tomorrow when Buffalo hosts their in-state rivals.
Evening Notes: Chinakhov, Douglas, Canucks
The Columbus Blue Jackets won’t begin their season until Thursday, but Yegor Chinakhov is already officially out of the lineup, as Aaron Portzline of The Athletic confirmed from Head Coach Dean Evason.
It has been a tumultuous last few months for the once-heralded Columbus prospect. After requesting a trade back in July, the Russian apparently changed his mind in September, saying he was open to staying with the Jackets, having seemingly worked through his differences with Evason.
Then, recently, Chinakhov voiced his displeasure with his role in camp, and finally, he fired his agent last Sunday. With all of those affairs out of the way, the latest development is that the 24-year-old will not appear on Thursday in the team’s opener vs. Nashville. Portzline noted that Evason apparently met with his player to make sure they were in agreement on the role, but given all the back and forth, it is not a good sign for Chinakhov’s future in Columbus.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Benjamin Pierce, Tampa Bay’s beat writer, shared the unlikely story of Curtis Douglas as he finds himself, somewhat surprisingly, on the Bolts’ roster to start 2025-26. Originally drafted by Dallas 106th overall in 2018, Douglas has spent the past 5 seasons grinding away in the AHL, not exactly filling the nets, but standing out at 6’9”, 242 lbs. As the game has evolved into the 2020s, gone are the days of pure enforcers running around, however, many teams feature such hulk-sized forwards in their bottom six to drive to the net and mix it up when needed. Tampa figures to have their own version in Douglas, who was claimed on waivers two days ago. The 25-year-old Ontario native will hope to make his long-awaited NHL debut tomorrow against Ottawa.
- As the Vancouver Canucks open their season tomorrow against Calgary, Ben Kuzma of The Province wrote today of the team’s optimism as a playoff team in 2025-26. The Canucks are one of several promising teams who underachieved last season, and are now looking to turn the page. Given the issues behind the scenes seemingly behind with the departure of star J.T. Miller, and a fresh voice with Adam Foote moving up to Head Coach, the table is set for the Canucks to reach their potential. As outlined by Kuzma, they returned a largely similar roster, bringing in standout Evander Kane to boot, as well as youngster Jonathan Lekkerimaki facing pressure to make a larger impact. The Canucks’ disappointment last year was rewarded with the freshly-drafted Braeden Cootes, who has made a strong impression to make the team. Somewhat surprisingly given their roster, Vancouver struggled offensively last season, but Foote will look to revitalize the group as they set their sights on a return to the playoffs next spring.
Ducks Recall Tim Washe From AHL
The Anaheim Ducks announced tonight that they have recalled Tim Washe from AHL San Diego. The 24-year-old will join the club in advance of the Ducks season opener in Seattle tomorrow.
Washe, undrafted, has made a nice impression with the organization in a short time. Signed as an NCAA free agent after leading Western Michigan University to their first National Championship, Washe broke out offensively last season, notching 38 points as the Broncos’ captain. Although the Detroit native has just two NHL games under his belt, and no other professional experience, Washe is certainly battle tested. Impressively, his Broncos appeared in the Frozen Four four straight seasons, finally breaking through as champions last year.
Given Ryan Strome’s absence due to a lower-body injury, which came out earlier today, Washe, 6’3”, likely slots into the Ducks’ bottom-six in a heavy forechecking role. Like many NCAA undrafted-to-NHL forwards before him, Washe thrives on a physical two-way game, and clearly, accomplished Ducks Head Coach Joel Quenneville likes Washe’s abilities, quickly pulling him back from the AHL.
Washe did not have to pass through waivers to reach San Diego, having been assigned just two days ago. Now, it will be interesting to see if the forward, who has quickly found a spot in the NHL, will get a real look at sneaking into the Ducks lineup for good this season.
Injury Notes: Girgensons, Vlasic, Strome
Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper was asked by Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times if Zemgus Girgensons could be considered week-to-week, and Cooper confirmed Encina’s suspicions, saying it is “probably a semi-safe assessment of where he’s at right now”.
The 31-year-old Latvian forward was injured in Saturday’s preseason tilt vs Florida, a game which caught the league’s attention with over 300 penalty minutes combined between the rivals. The Lightning actually faced fines and a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for the festivities that occurred throughout the game.
Girgensons will miss his first regular season game as a Bolt, having appeared in all 82 games last season, netting 6 points in a largely shutdown role.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Chicago Head Coach Jeff Blashill says Alex Vlasic is all set to play tomorrow, as confirmed by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. Vlasic was absent in the 2025-26 NHL season opener due to a lower-body injury, as the Blackhawks fell to Florida. Having broken out last season with 30 points, the Blackhawks will be glad to welcome the young Illinois native back to the lineup.
- The Anaheim Ducks announced today that dependable center Ryan Strome will miss the team’s upcoming road trip due to an upper-body injury, which was previously under wraps. The 32-year-old veteran has only missed three regular season games in his first three seasons with the Ducks, twice being an all-82-game player. Strome has flashed remarkable consistency, netting 41 points exactly in each campaign. Based on the Ducks’ statement, he is set to miss games in Seattle and San Jose, but perhaps could return for the home opener against Pittsburgh next Tuesday.
Cole Perfetti Out Week-To-Week With Ankle Sprain
10/5/25: Jets head coach Arniel told the media, including team reporter Mitchell Clinton, that Perfetti has an ankle sprain and will be out on a week-to-week basis.
10/4/25: Last night’s preseason shootout victory proved costly for the Winnipeg Jets, as young standout forward Cole Perfetti left with a lower-body issue. As noted by Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press, Head Coach Scott Arniel said that the “first glance doesn’t look great”.
In the closing seconds of the second period, Perfetti came in on the forecheck and finished a routine check on Kevin Bahl, but landed awkwardly and came up gingerly, possibly favoring his right leg. The 23-year-old did not return to the game.
Further details on the injury have not yet come out, but if Perfetti is set to miss time, it would be a tough blow to the Jets as they look to maintain high expectations, given last season’s Presidents’ Trophy, albeit without longtime star Nikolaj Ehlers, who left in free agency. With captain Adam Lowry out for the start of the season, along with Dylan Samberg, who will miss several weeks with a broken wrist, the injury bug has bitten the Jets already, and hopefully, Perfetti will not be sidelined for long.
Perfetti, drafted tenth overall in 2020, took a few years to establish himself, but after a 2024-25 season where he appeared in all 82 games and broke the 50-point mark, many expect another step forward this season.
With final rosters being finalized in the next two days, it will be interesting to monitor Winnipeg’s corresponding moves as the team still has several extra forwards. Fans will certainly also watch urgently for updates on Perfetti.
Jets Sign Nikita Chibrikov To Two-Year Extension
The Winnipeg Jets have locked up a talented young forward, Nikita Chibrikov, per agent Dan Milstein. The deal is a two-year, one-way extension, worth $850k and $900k at the NHL level.
Despite the Jets’ consistent presence as a playoff contender across the last decade, and the subsequent lack of high draft picks, the organization has managed to assemble a formidable group of forward prospects, including Chibrikov. The youngster’s high skill and effort projects himself as a future middle-six scorer for Winnipeg, with the potential for more, especially if he cleans up his defensive game. Having lost stalwart Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency, and Kyle Connor a soon-to-be free agent with an uncertain future, Winnipeg will turn to their youth to help keep their window open.
Selected by Winnipeg 50th overall in 2021, Chibrikov never made a significant impact in the KHL as a young NHL-draftee, but he was an immediate standout in North America, posting 47 points as an AHL rookie in 2023-24, and lighting the lamp in his NHL debut as well.
Last season the Russian forward continued his progression with the Manitoba Moose, and earned a four game stint with the Presidents’ Trophy Jets in December, where he notched two goals and an assist.
With forwards such as Cole Perfetti, Jonathan Toews, and Adam Lowry currently banged up, the Jets could turn to Chibrikov to start the season. If not, and he is sent back down, expect the 22-year-old to be a key member of the Manitoba Moose again as an eventual fixture of Winnipeg’s lineup.
Predators Place Nicolas Hague, Matthew Wood On IR
Having already been absent due to noted injuries, the Nashville Predators have confirmed the fate of two. As confirmed by Brooks Bratten, Nashville’s beat reporter, Nic Hague is expected to miss 2-3 weeks due to an upper-body injury, while Matthew Wood is week-to-week.
Hague was hardly able to debut with the Predators, going down early in the team’s preseason opener against Florida on September 21st. Having been acquired in the offseason from Vegas and promptly signed to a four-year deal worth $5.5MM per season, Hague’s absence solidified two smooth puck-moving defenders on the team, Nick Blankenburg and Spencer Stastney. Nashville already has a glut of left-handed defenders, and while they will miss Hague’s size, there are plenty of names to fill the void. It had been thought he could be out longer, so perhaps there is some relief for GM Barry Trotz, who made an effort to overhaul his defensive core and add more size this summer.
Nashville’s top defense prospect, the electric Tanner Molendyk, made a strong case to make the team, but was sent down yesterday and will begin his pro career with AHL Milwaukee.
Meanwhile, Wood suffered a lower-body injury in the Preds’ Gold Star Showcase scrimmage. It was especially unfortunate, as the top prospect was rolling in camp and making a strong case to remain with the club, having bypassed the AHL last season after coming out of college on a six-game NHL audition.
With Luke Evangelista finally signed today, two youngsters, Joakim Kemell and Ozzy Wiesblatt, seem to have made the cut due to Wood’s ailment. Kemell, a right-handed sniper, plays a role relatively similar to Wood with real top-six potential, while Wiesblatt, despite being a former first-round pick (2020, San Jose), projects as a likely bottom-six energy forward.
Flyers Open To Trading Emil Andrae
As the deadline for final rosters looms, many teams have final decisions to make, including Philadelphia, with one seat remaining at their table. Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff writes that Emil Andrae is on the outside looking in and may find himself with a new club soon.
Andrae, originally drafted by Philadelphia in 2020 (54th overall), has flashed legitimate potential over the last three seasons with AHL Lehigh Valley, but seemingly has not made enough of an impression on new Head Coach Rick Tocchet, as well as being surpassed on the organizational depth chart. As is usually a point of emphasis for the black and orange, Andrae’s stature is a downside, at 5’9”, as the Flyers look for more size on their blueline’s bottom half, given Jamie Drysdale and Cam York’s presence.
Di Marco noted that the Flyers’ third pairing was open coming into the season, and especially with Rasmus Ristolainen’s injury, opportunities were plentiful. One by one, certain candidates have fallen out of favor. It is thought that Dennis Gilbert and Noah Juulsen will round out the Flyers’ defense corps, beating out once-promising youngsters Helge Grans and Andrae.
Neither Gilbert nor Juulsen are names that jump out on the page at this point, both in their late-twenties, but both bring over 100 NHL games of experience to the table. Juulsen also comes in from Vancouver, having played for Tocchet for the last three seasons.
Adam Ginning also remains firmly in the mix for Philadelphia, despite just 11 NHL games under his belt so far, but at 6’2”, he may have the upper hand over Andrae, and makes an imposing pair with fellow sizable lefty Egor Zamula.
Di Marco says that although there is no clear market for Andrae, and the Flyers are just “open” to making such a move, they would be likely seeking a third-round pick or a similar defensive prospect. Players in Andrae’s mold appear in the waiver wire often, especially at this time of year. Yet still being just 23, it will be interesting to see if the Flyers can recoup value for their 2020 second-round selection, or if the Sweden native will return to Lehigh Valley as a key contributor and push for another call-up.