With the NHL regular season winding down, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is shifting his focus toward the future. Following a 3-5 loss to the New York Islanders, Berube confirmed that lineup changes are on the horizon for the team's final three games.

When asked about giving younger players more ice time, Berube was direct. "Yeah, I do believe so," he stated. "We’ll look at getting one or two other guys in there for sure." This strategic move is common for teams locked into their playoff positioning, offering valuable NHL experience to prospects before the intense postseason begins.

One young player who has already seized his opportunity is 20-year-old forward Easton Cowan. In 63 games, Cowan has notched 11 goals and 16 assists, totaling 27 points. Berube praised the rookie's foundational attribute: relentless effort. "He just works... He's a worker," the coach emphasized. "I always call work before skill a lot of times, and I think he’s kind of grabbed that side of things. So Easton’s, he works and skates and gets rewarded."

The Maple Leafs will close their schedule with home games against the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars before a final matchup with the Ottawa Senators. These contests will serve as a crucial audition for the next wave of Toronto talent, blending development with final preparations for the Stanley Cup chase.