Maple Leafs head into the final prep days with a wrench in their bottom six: Scott Laughton is out indefinitely after an exhibition injury, leaving a clear hole and forcing reshuffles around Steven Lorentz and rookie Easton Cowan.

David Kampf was placed on waivers, hinting at a near-term departure to clear cap and depth. Nick Robertson returns for the last preseason game in Detroit, giving him a legitimate shot to earn opening-night minutes. The team must balance opportunity with roster reality as Laughton’s timeline remains unclear.

The Leafs push to define lines as Robertson, Lorentz, and Cowan vie for roles while Laughton’s absence tests depth and the overall early-season plan.

Easton Cowan faces a brutal 14-forward logjam in Toronto, making opening-night fate uncertain for the Leafs’ top prospect. He grabbed attention at the Prospect Showcase with an assist and a defense-first mindset, signaling a potential path through two-way play and PK value. With veteran depth like Kampf, Robertson, and Jarnkrok in the mix, Cowan’s best route may be a late-season call rather than an immediate boost, as the organization prioritizes the present.