After starting his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, top prospect Easton Cowan was assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on Wednesday.

Scott Laughton was activated off injured reserve (IR). Laughton is set to slot into the lineup for the Leafs for Wednesday’s game against the Utah Mammoth.

Cowan appeared to be a healthy scratch Wednesday with Laughton’s return. Through 13 games, Cowan had been scratched three times, tallying one goal and three assists in his 10 appearances. He got looks on the top line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies as well as the first power-play unit, though his minutes were somewhat inconsistent.

Now with the Marlies, Cowan will get an opportunity to play top minutes as he continues to develop his speed and skill for the highest level of the game. The Marlies are currently in the midst of long road trip due to the Royal Winter Fair. They’re set to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday, the Hershey Bears on Friday, then the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday.

Laughton’s return to the lineup is welcome news for the Maple Leafs. Laughton has yet to appear this season after suffering an injury late in the preseason, but began skating regularly in practice this week. In practice Wednesday morning, he skated as fourth-line centre, with Steven Lorentz and Max Domi as his wingers.

Lorentz also looks set to make his return to the lineup Wednesday night following a brief absence. He last appeared with the team a week ago, exiting a contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets after crashing into the boards. Lorentz and Laughton will look to build their chemistry again this season on a fourth-line that saw some success for Toronto last year.

With the return of Laughton and Lorentz, Sammy Blais and Calle Jarnkrok also skated as extras alongside Cowan at practice Wednesday morning, and appear likely to be healthy scratches.

Toronto currently sits third in the Atlantic with a 7-5-1 record through 13 games played.

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