Easton Cowan Cut From Maple Leafs in Final Roster Deadline Shocker

The deadline for NHL teams to submit their opening night rosters was 5:00pm ET Monday evening. Like every other team, the Leafs announced their roster on 'X' and caught everyone by surprise when Cowan (and John Tavares, in error) was omitted from the list.

Instead, Monday's waiver acquisition Sammy Blais and Jacob Quillan were listed as part of the forward group.

Cowan impressed the Leafs throughout training camp, but was seen skating as the thirteenth forward in Monday's practice, hinting that he may not be on the initial roster.

It was of no fault of his own, but given the injuries to Scott Laughton and Marshall Rifai, the Leafs chose to add Quillan to the roster over Cowan for cap-related reasons.

In addition to omitting Cowan from the opening night roster, the Leafs also chose to add Cayden Primeau instead of Dennis Hildeby.

Whether that is also for cap reasons is unclear, but it wouldn't be as much of a surprise given that Hildeby would be the undisputed starter for the Toronto Marlies. It would give him the opportunity to continue to refine his game, instead of sitting on the bench for days at a time backing up Anthony Stolarz.