The Toronto Maple Leafs, led by Auston Mattews, are heading into their 2025-26 season opener against the Montreal Canadiens with a last-minute roster shuffle that has fans talking. Early Wednesday, the Leafs made a move that suggested rookie Easton Cowan might make his NHL debut, but things have shifted since.

The team has made changes to the roster, demoting Jacob Quillan to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and recalling Cowan. This signaled the organization’s intent to give the promising prospect a chance at the NHL level.

However, Athletics’ Jonas Siegel reported on “X” that practice observations indicate Cowan, along with Philippe Myers and Sammy Blais, will be scratched for the season opener, delaying his NHL debut.

This development emphasizes the fluid nature of roster management in the

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