Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan have been sent down to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in a paper transaction to ensure AHL playoff eligibility, per Anna Dua. Both players will likely be recalled to the Toronto Maple Leafs this weekend.

In order to play in the AHL playoffs, players must be assigned to an AHL roster at the NHL trade deadline, which took place at 3 p.m. on Friday. The move allows the flexibility for Cowan and Quillan to drop down and play playoff minutes for the Marlies this spring, should they qualify for the postseason. As reported by the Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby, other Marlies players are expected to receive looks with the Maple Leafs near the end of the season as well, as playoffs get further out of reach for the NHL club.

Considered Toronto’s top prospect before making his professional debut this year, Easton Cowan has spent most of his season with the Maple Leafs. In 47 NHL games, he has eight goals and 11 assists, though he’s only playing an average of 13:34 TOI/night (which has been a point of controversy this year). He made two appearances with the Marlies this season, earning an assist.

Cowan was drafted 28th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2023 while playing with the OHL’s London Knights. In last year’s OHL playoffs, he has 39 points in 17 games played. He added a tournament-leading seven points in the Memorial Cup, scoring the game-winning goal in the Final to clinch the trophy for the Knights and finish as MVP.

Quillan, meanwhile, has spent the majority of the last two seasons in the AHL, tallying six appearances with the Maple Leafs in the process. This year with the Marlies he has 12 goals and 33 points, nearing his 37-point total from last season in 29 fewer games played. The 24-year-old was originally signed out of Quinnipac University in April 2024 as an undrafted prospect, and has since appeared in five playoff games with the Marlies. He was called up from the Marlies on Thursday ahead of Toronto’s contest against the New York Rangers.

The Marlies are currently fourth in the AHL’s North Division, with a 27-18-4-5 record through 54 games played. The top five teams in the division advance to the playoffs, and the Marlies currently hold a 13-point edge over the sixth-place Belleville Senators. Poised to qualify for the postseason, they’ll look to improve over recent playoff results, losing in the preliminary round the last two seasons. The Marlies last won the Calder Cup in 2018.

The 2026 Trade Deadline Special is going LIVE March 6th. Join the Daily Faceoff crew on Friday, March 6th, from 11 AM-3:30 PM ET for wall-to-wall coverage of every single move as it happens. Get instant reaction, expert analysis, and exclusive insights from special guests throughout the day. Tune in LIVE on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and don’t miss a second of deadline day chaos.