Brad Treliving and Maple Leafs Have Made a Decision on Easton Cowan's NHL Future
Easton Cowan has shown great maturity for a 19-year-old player and while the Maple Leafs may not be ready to bring him up, he's prepared for whatever comes next.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have five days until the regular season with one more preseason game to go, and what they do with their roster in that time will make or break their 2024-2025 season. Tough decisions await within the coming days as the final pieces of the team are either brought together or pushed back, just not being their time this year.
Easton Cowan is feeling that pinch, as the Maple Leafs 28th pick in the 2023 Draft was fighting hard for a roster spot this season and while he's shown flashes of brilliance, it's clear he's still not ready; that's okay though. The Maple Leafs know what they have in Cowan, who is fresh off a 96-point campaign with the London Knights and will most likely head back there this season to continue that wave of momentum. Cowan acknowledges this, and isn't concerned about what the Maple Leafs decide to do:
Cowan isn't going to harbor any hard feelings if the team chooses to send him back, and he knows that he has some facets of his game to work on. Some of them however will surprise Maple Leafs fans, because it seems like something Cowan would rely on others for:
Yeah. I've had a couple fights, but I feel like fighting opens up more space for you on the ice. Not being dumb with it, jumping guys. But when the time's right, time's right. So, I wouldn't say I'm really focused on fighting, but if it's there, I feel like it can open up more space, Cowan explains.
You know, having that versatility. Like Domi. He can make plays. He can score. But he likes to get in there, and he can fight too, so just seeing that's been pretty cool."
It would be great if Cowan could add some grit to his game, as that's something head coach Craig Berube craves in his roster. But he also understands that this year's camp isn't the easiest, it's been a struggle and he's still dealing with not only the physical but the mental stress that comes with trying to make the NHL:
I'm just putting the pressure on myself, I think. Obviously, [Berube] wants us to play defense, but in the offensive zone, you just do you. So, I've just been putting a bit too much pressure myself."
For all of Cowan's struggles, of which there have been many this preseason where he's often struggled with keeping hold of the puck; he's earned high praise from both his head coach and teammates. Berube spoke highly of his offensive talents and knows that as a young player he's still got to learn a few things:
He quickly endeared himself to a very important figurehead in the Maple Leafs locker room as former captain John Tavares admired the work ethic and dedication the 19-year-old has shown:
He just loves the game and loves to compete. He wants to be here and is doing everything he can to make that happen. He's got a great future ahead of him and for us. Just love having him around. His energy is infectious. Loves talking about the game and being around it."
Fellow London Knights alum Max Domi also had some words of encouragement for Cowan, spending lots of time with him during camp alongside former London Knight, Mitch Marner:
He's in the gym every day. He's here early. He stays late. He's learning about nutrition and all that stuff. You see him eating big meals and whatnot. So, he looks great. He was a mature kid last year, but he's grown up even more. So, we're all cheering for him. He looks great, and he's getting better every day."
It's a lot of high praise for someone who won't be spending time with the Maple Leafs this season, and it's a clear indication that Cowan isn't too far off track from being a part of the team very shortly. He suited up for five straight preseason games, and while the lineups for the final preseason game against Detroit are unknown, if Cowan gets the nod again it'll be an impressive amount of confidence and trust in someone who they know isn't ready. He's not ready like Max Pacioretty or Steven Lorentz. He hasn't had the professional experience of Nikita Grebenkin, and Nick Robertson's explosion this preseason locks down his spot.
Not being ready at 19 isn't a death sentence, and you rarely see such young players ready for the big time. It takes a generational talent to break through that barrier, and to his credit, Cowan is talented though not in that upper echelon of a Connor Bedard, or Sidney Crosby. But what's the adage in sports?
There's always next year kid, and Cowan will make sure of it.
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