Maple Leafs reporter hints that Easton Cowan could be traded

The Leafs and GM Brad Treliving did what they said they were going to do when free agency opened July 1st, upgrading the blueline and getting some stability in goal, but it has left them with a few holes elsewhere in the lineup.

After Tyler Bertuzzi bolted for more money in Chicago, the Leafs now need a top-six winger along with a third-line center. Currently, the Leafs have just $180K in cap space, with RFAs Nick Robertson and Connor Dewar still to sign, so a move or two is assuredly coming.

Former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas left Treliving with very minimal draft capital to trade. In fact, had Treliving not acquired the Florida Panthers' 2025 second-round pick, the Leafs would not have had a pick until the fifth round at next year's draft.

As Jonas Siegel noted in his article for The Athletic this morning, the Leafs' most attractive pick to move is their 2026 first-rounder, but if the Leafs truly are in 'win now' mode, Easton Cowan may yield the return they are hoping for.

Leafs fans don't want to hear that given the number of prospects the Leafs 'gave up on' too early and ended up in the Stanley Cup Finals the past couple of season, but they don't seem to have many other options.

It will be interesting to see how Treliving and the front office navigate the rest of the summer and training camp.

Source: The Athletic
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