The Toronto Maple Leafs have set their final roster for their NHL season opener on Wednesday, and in a surprise move, top prospect Easton Cowan did not make the cut. Instead, Jacob Quillan has surfaced on the final list, though for cap purposes only.
It was just earlier in the day on Monday, hours before the roster was announced, that the 20-year-old Cowan expressed his excitement at still being around after a seemingly good preseason.
“It means a lot. I mean, you dream of it ever since you were a kid. To still be here, I’m very grateful for that, and not going to take any day for granted,” Cowan had said.
Now, he’ll have to be sure not to take any day with the Marlies in the American Hockey League for granted.
Head coach Craig Berube still spoke highly of Cowan, but alluded to the fact that he needs to be playing regularly in a top-six role to really develop at this point. He’ll get that with the Marlies.
“Does he help us right now?” asked Berube, rhetorically. “What’s best for him? You know, young kid, but we like him.”
Quillan, 23, is an undrafted center and played last season with the Marlies, recording 37 points in 67 games with a plus/minus rating of +7. He got into one game with the Leafs in January, but got only five minutes of ice time. Quillan has not been practicing with the Leafs, so his inclusion is only an administrative move for now.
The other intriguing names on the final roster included the two waiver wire pickups from earlier in the day. With Joseph Woll still away from the team on personal leave for an unknown amount of time, Cayden Primeau will now serve as Anthony Stolarz’s backup, with Dennis Hildeby heading to the Marlies.
Leafs send 6 more bodies down to the AHL Marlies as roster set
Others heading to the AHL include David Kampf, who just cleared waivers; Michael Pezzetta, Henry Thrun, Dakota Mermis, and Matt Benning.
Practice on Monday revealed some other notable changes to the preseason lineup, including Max Domi being moved off the top line wing. He shifts back to center where he’ll fill in for the injured Scott Laughton. In addition, Nicholas Robertson appears to have made his way into the top nine, playing on that third line alongside Dakota Joshua and Domi.
Matias Maccelli has moved back up to the top line wing with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, while Calle Jarnkrok has re-emerged as a fourth-line forward with Nic Roy and Steven Lorentz.
Opening Night for the Leafs is Wednesday, hosting the Montreal Canadiens.
