Why It Looks Like Easton Cowan Is On The Outside Looking In For Maple

As Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashed a grand slam into the seats at Rogers Centre on Sunday afternoon, Easton Cowan and his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates rose to their feet.

Despite being a fan of Toronto’s sports teams growing up, the 20-year-old got yet another glimpse of how the city rallies around its teams during the postseason. And in seven months, Cowan could be in a position like the Toronto Blue Jays are right now, trying to bring a championship back to this city.

“It just shows how passionate Toronto fans are in any sport,” Cowan said on Monday.

But before anything, Cowan needs to make the Maple Leafs. He’s beaten out David Kampf and Michael Pezzetta for a spot on the roster (Kampf cleared waivers on Friday, Pezzetta was placed on waivers on Sunday).

Overall, he’s had a really impressive training camp. However, on Monday at practice, the young forward was on the outside looking in, playing as the 13th forward.

In front of him were Nick Robertson (on the third line with Dakota Joshua and Max Domi) and Calle Jarnkrok (on the fourth line alongside Nicolas Roy and Steven Lorentz), who, combined, have 874 NHL games between them.

“No decisions have been made,” said Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube after Monday’s practice.

(Two hours after practice concluded, Toronto claimed Sammy Blais off waivers, which could push Cowan even further down the depth chart, depending on how things shake out.)

At some point, though, Toronto will need to decide whether Cowan makes the opening night lineup or not. And if he’s not on the team for the home opener on Oct. 8, does it make sense to keep him with the Maple Leafs, or send him to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies?

“I think that you’ve got to look at where your team’s at. You’ve got to look at, does he help us right now? What’s best for him?” Berube said. “You know, young kid, but we liked him. We liked him at camp, so he’s here right now.”

Cowan, on the message he’s received from the Maple Leafs since more roster cuts have come down:…