Maple Leafs Assign Easton Cowan Some Ingriguing Linemates to Begin Training Camp

With training camp now officially underway, it's clear that the Maple Leafs have two solid groups that can really push each other and help weed out the outliers.

If there's one standout line from Group 2 so far, it's Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, and Easton Cowan skating together.

Joshua and Roy were always going to make the team. The real story here is Easton Cowan lining up with two legitimate NHLers to begin camp, indicating that the Leafs will give him every chance to succeed.

Fresh off of a Memorial Cup win with the London Knights, where he put up seven points in five games and took home tournament MVP, Cowan has a golden opportunity to prove he can help the Leafs right now.

Putting him with Joshua and Roy seems intentional too; both are big, reliable players who can create space for Cowan to showcase his speed, IQ, and elite skill. Not to mention these two new Maple Leafs are defensively responsible and particularly nasty, and will properly shelter and protect the rookie at all costs.

At 6'0", 190 pounds, Cowan isn't the biggest guy on the ice, but paired with size and strength around him, he has the best possible chance to shine.

If he can prove that his game translates at the pro level at just 20 years old, he could be a real x-factor for the Leafs in their first season without Mitch Marner.