The development of young prospects at the NHL level never travels on a straight line. Every prospect goes through their own share of ups and downs. It takes time to adjust to the speed, strength and detail of the NHL game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs demoted Easton Cowan to the AHL on Wednesday and I’m assuming he will suit up for the Marlies Friday night in Hershey and Saturday in Lehigh Valley.

In saying that, I also see a path back to the NHL club if a forward is injured or if Leafs head coach Craig Berube sours on the effort and results from one or more of his forwards.

Here are some of the reasons why Cowan has landed in the AHL for the time being, followed by my takeaways from his first segment of games at the NHL level:

It’s a numbers game

With Scott Laughton returning to the lineu

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