Unfortunate Turn of Events for the Maple Leafs May Change the Plan for Easton Cowan

The Toronto Maple Leafs have just one pre-season games remaining before they'll have to finalize their opening night roster. They have some big decisions ahead.

Originally, it appeared as though Easton Cowan had all but locked up a roster spot next to Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz on a dynamic and dangerous 4th line. Unfortunately, an injury to Laughton may have changed everything.

The Leafs took to the ice for practice on Friday morning with David Kampf was listed as Laughton's replacement, centering the 4th line, which was certainly predictable. However, when looking at a 4th line that featured Lorentz, Kampf and Cowan, it's abundantly clear that it's not quite as exciting.

The Leafs Nation's Nick Richard was one of the first writers to suggest sending Cowan down to play big minutes with the Marlies rather than to play next to an offensive black hole like Kampf for 6 minutes per night on the 4th line. I tend to agree.

A more traditional checking 4th line featuring Lorentz, Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok might not be the worst idea, and the Leafs also have the option of running a tougher line by dressing Michael Pezzetta, and a 3rd potential option of dressing Nick Robertson. In my opinion, all of these options are better than setting Cowan up for failure.

If the Leafs were to send Cowan down to the AHL to begin the year, it wouldn't be due to his performance. That much is clear by the way Craig Berube has talked about him all pre-season and training camp.

Instead, sending Cowan down would be more about setting him up for success and allow him to get some reps in as a pro higher in the lineup, while also giving him a chance to get some power play and penalty killing time in at the AHL level. There's certainly no harm in that.