Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller is going to have some big decisions to make among his forward group, and Easton Cowan, Gavin McKenna, and Jack Roslovic are going to be in the thick of it all.

With Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, William Nylander and John Tavares likely holding down four of the top-six roles for the Leafs up front, that leaves only two spots open. Cowan certainly put himself on the map last season with his rookie year with the Leafs, and his Calder Cup raising finish with the Toronto Marlies, but, with a new bench boss, he’ll have to do whatever he can to get Hiller’s attention as soon as training camp opens.

Cowan was one of the Maple Leafs’ bright spots last year in their down season and developed in a meaningful way throughout the entire campaign. Cowan got more confident with the puck, and his decision making, while also simplifying his game throughout the course of the year. Once he hit the Calder Cup Playoffs, the former first-rounder was lights out. Cowan was the best player on the ice each and every night for the Toronto Marlies and showcased his entire toolbox to the organization. While John Chayka was locked into his AHL club throughout the late stages of their run, some might argue his sole focus was to see exactly what he has in Cowan’s game.

All eyes will be on McKenna once camp breaks, and with his skillset and expertise, the first-overall pick is best suited for an offensive role. McKenna should be given every chance possible to start on the Leafs’ top line and play his off wing on the right side, along with Matthews and Knies. With his natural ability to slow the game down, elite vision and hockey IQ, and his ability to distribute the puck, playing McKenna with Matthews at even strength will certainly be strongly considered. McKenna will have to show he’s able to keep up, can handle the physical load of playing top-line minutes, while also displaying strength and composure with the puck on his stick. His attention to details without the puck should be something he’s focused on immensely early on.

Jack Roslovic joined the Leafs on a two-year contract worth $4 million AAV, and he’ll be ready to compete for a top six spot at training camp. Roslovic has some familiarity with Matthews, he can play multiple positions, so don’t be surprised to see the former Edmonton Oiler become a Swiss-army type of forward for Hiller’s Leafs. He’ll certainly get a look at right wing on the top line, but because he’s not necessarily a pass-first winger, some question if he’s the right fit to play alongside Matthews and Knies. Roslovic could also be an option down the middle of the ice, and it will be interesting to see if he performs well enough throughout camp to push Tavares down to the three hole, and into a more defensive-minded role next season.

While McKenna, Cowan and Roslovic will be in the mix, there’s still an outside chance that Chayka moves defenceman Morgan Rielly, which could fetch another top nine forward. If that turns out to be the case, don’t be surprised to see a right-winger coming back the other way to provide some more depth. There’s also the bargain bin, and would free-agent David Perron be an option Chayka would consider? For now, the Rielly trade talks have fizzled out completely.

There’s also the outside chance that Hiller likes Nylander and Matthews together on Toronto’s top line, and if you shift McKenna over to the left side, it could move Knies down to the second line. Hiller has a magnitude of options, and it’s going to be interesting to see how everything plays out in a couple of months.

For now, the discussion continues, Chayka remains engaged in upgrading the roster, and it feels like this team is far from a finished product. McKenna, Cowan and Roslovic are among the top-six options, but you can expect to see a couple more names thrown into the ring, as the internal competition up front will be one of the more entertaining stories to follow once training camp opens for the Maple Leafs.

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