The Toronto Maple Leafs are still feeling the ripple effects of a moment that defined their season, and for one young forward, it hasn’t sat right since. Even with the season now over, the memory of not stepping in for captain Auston Matthews continues to linger.
Maple Leafs Forward Owns Up for Not Offering Auston Matthews Some Support
The turning point came on March 12, when Matthews was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks. Matthews went down in visible pain and was promptly ruled out for the season following surgery.
But beyond the injury itself, what drew attention was the lack of an immediate response. Several Leafs players were on the ice at the time, including William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, and Easton Cowan, yet no one confronted Gudas as their captain lay hurt.
As the dust settled, players began to acknowledge that moment as a missed opportunity to stand up for their teammate.
Cowan, in particular, didn’t shy away from taking responsibility. “Obviously, there’s been a lot of regret. I wish I would have done something. I’m still kind of pissed off on myself for that,” Cowan admitted. He added that while it didn’t necessarily require dropping the gloves, simply stepping in would have made a difference, calling it a learning moment early in his career.
To their credit, the Leafs did adjust and responded better in their rematch against Anaheim weeks later. Max Domi wasted no time setting the tone, dropping the gloves with Gudas on the opening shift. Domi fought twice that night, a response that teammates praised as a sign the group was beginning to stick up for one another.
Cowan echoed that sentiment, noting, “Just going to try to do that from here on out and felt like I did that the rest of the year. Same with everyone on the team. I felt like we were sticking up for each other, and it just brings good vibes. And it just shows you’re close as a group.
The season, however, didn’t recover. Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division with a 32-36-14 record, leading to the dismissal of GM Brad Treliving and sparking a major offseason reset.
Now, as the Leafs search for new leadership and prepare for a fresh start, moments like the Matthews incident remain part of the lesson. For players like Cowan, it’s not just about regret; it’s about ensuring it doesn’t happen again.
