Red Wings' dominant win against Maple Leafs sparks major lineup reconstruction

NHL Insider Mark Masters of TSN has reported today that the Toronto Maple Leafs will debut former 1st-round pick Easton Cowan in a 1st-line role this week.

An unexpected change for the Maple Leafs, who are perennial contenders.

The assignment came after the team's disappointing performance on Saturday, the 11th, when the team lost by a 3-goal margin to the rebuilding Red Wings.

Cowan was selected 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft and played for the London Knights for the last two seasons in the OHL and turned pro this season.

He was eager to make his professional debut this season and has exercised patience for Berube to come around to the decision.

Easton Cowan, who played a total of 46 games for the London Knights, scoring 69 points (29-40), helped the team win back-to-back Memorial Cups in the OHL.

It is the Maple Leafs' hope that the prospect occupying a top spot in the Maple Leafs' lineup could spark the kind of offense needed that could give the Red Wings their first loss in the ongoing series.

He's aged 20 and has yet to suit up for the team with the minor-league affiliate, the Marlies, and now will be expected to take on a role in the top six, which William Nyland originally fulfilled, being pushed down in the lineup.

Thanks to Todd McLellan, the Red Wings have finally found a way to exercise dominance on the ice against their rivals and made them shift their strategy.

The Red Wings are 1-1-0 at the beginning of the 2025-26 regular season.