During the opening day of training camp, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube both took questions from the media regarding the lead-up to the season. During both of their availabilities, they both directly and indirectly alluded to how Easton Cowan and any other young prospects can find their way onto the Leafs’ roster to begin the year.

“It’s the NHL. If you can help us win, I don’t care if you’re 18 or you’re 38, play well,” Treliving said. “Now, we do feel young players are coming. It’s not just age, right?”

“I look at our team right now. I’m sure everybody’s got the names on the map, who’s playing what’s who. We’ll see. Let’s be honest. Everybody talks about there’s competition at camp, come win a job.”

This stays consistent with what the Leafs’ GM has said about Cowan in the past regarding whether the 28th overall pick of the 2023 draft will be on the opening night roster. Treliving has made it known on several occasions that he is a big fan of Cowan but has also made sure to temper expectations that the 19-year-old will be a lock to be in the NHL this year.

It makes sense given that Cowan is currently on the bubble going into camp because he still needs to prove that he has what it takes to handle the pro game and that includes being responsible defensively. While it may seem odd to say that about a player who was taking penalty-killing reps as recently as last weekend during the 2024 Prospect Showdown, it is simply because there are tendencies that a junior player possesses that don’t translate well to the NHL which would result in said player looking out of place even if they are the most talented player on the ice.

Berube mentioned as such when asked by reporters about Cowan. The newly appointed coach gave a bunch of heaping praise about the youngster’s work ethic before laying out what Cowan needs to do if wants to make the NHL this year.

“He’s produced in junior and has been very successful,” Berube said. “But the one thing, watching the rookie games, this guy works. He’s a competitor. He’s a very competitive player. But in the end, he’s got to be detailed. A lot of players coming out of junior hockey, they still have the junior habits. And he needs to show us that he doesn’t have all the junior habits anymore.”

While it is to be determined if he will make the Leafs roster out of camp, it is clear that Cowan is going to give it his all to ensure he has the best chance of getting into NHL games this season. He certainly has a lot of momentum on his side as he is fresh off an MVP campaign where he helped guide the London Knights to the Memorial Cup Final, was invited to the World Junior Summer Showcase, the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, and topped our prospect rankings. He has the makings to become of a similar ilk to Travis Konecny and childhood idol Nazem Kadri while possessing the right attitude in terms of his approach to training and winning.

There are plenty of people who believe he has a good chance to reach the NHL in 2024-25 (including his trainer), but Cowan himself is taking it a day at a time and is eager to take on the challenge.

“I think I’m just going to give it my all. Play my game, do my thing,” he said to the media ahead of the 2024 Prospect Showdown. “Just have fun out there. Be a happy kid. I’ll trust what they think they should do with me and just trust the process like I’ve always been doing.”

There is no guarantee Cowan will make the team. Not only is Cowan eligible to return to junior this season to delay the start of his ELC, but there are plenty of players around that will try and block his path including the likes of Nick Robertson, Max Pacioretty, and Steven Lorentz.

It may not be the cards for him this year, but one thing is certain: Treliving and Berube will open up the path for Cowan if he shows he has what it takes to make the Leafs roster out of camp.

“In my mind, Easton’s pushing,” Treliving said. “Now, having said that, we all want to put them on the team in July and August. Preseason is one thing, regular season is a different thing.”

“We will make room for young players if young players can help us win. Don’t read into this idea that, where’s the path? The path starts with playing well and then we’ll get back. We’ll find a reason.”

That quest will begin on Sunday night when Toronto kicks off the preseason against the Ottawa Senators.