Easton Cowan is suddenly on the outside looking in, and a Leafs decision is taking shape
Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Unfortunately for Easton Cowan, he's seemingly cooled off and found himself out of the lineup as the Maple Leafs need to decide what his future is for this season.
Although the Maple Leafs are enduring a disappointing season thus far, there are some bright spots sprinkled in, with one of the biggest being the emergence of Easton Cowan as an NHL player.
Expected to take the reins from Mitch Marner, it was a tall order for the rookie and he's put in a pretty solid effort even if he's cooled off from where he was at one point in the year.
Should he stay or should he leave? Debating Cowan's place in Maple Leafs lineup
He's currently not expected to skate in the team's game Saturday against Vancouver and hasn't really been a factor with only three points in 17 games and a plus-2 which is started to lead some to wonder what the team is doing with him if he's not being effecting.
It seems like the Maple Leafs need to make a decision fast, but they also need to see where the next couple of games go. If they lose to Vancouver and Calgary, then the team will likely wave the white flag and it will be time to sell off.
Now the question becomes: Does Toronto want to try and salvage something from Cowan in a lost season, or let him get confidence at the AHL level and make sure he's ready next year?
There's benefits to both, as Craig Berube is going to need bodies on the ice if the team sells off assets and Cowan has proven that he can be effective at the NHL level albeit not at the rate fans and perhaps the team had hoped.
Give him time to grow in the minors, there's literally no harm in it
But you're also giving him a miserable season in his rookie year, and while that happens to some; it's going to weigh negatively on him.
Instead, if the team ships him to the AHL he will get the chance to gain chemistry with players who very well could be joining him next year, so why not get a head start now? Toronto isn't making the playoffs and it's hard to think Cowan would be a defining factor if they did.
Plus, he's waiver exempt so it's not like the team is going to risk losing him if they do send him down. Give him prime minutes on the top line with guys like Bo Groulx and Logan Shaw then get him to level where he becomes undeniable.
Cowan has shown a lot of chemistry with Nick Robertson and Nicolas Roy, however there are concerns the latter may not be sticking around long-term so Berube may decide to try and keep things the way they are, even if it's disappointing to say the least.
But whatever is the case, Toronto has a big decision to make with Easton Cowan and it's not going to be one that is taken lightly; nor should be.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
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JANVIER 31|1417 ANSWERS Easton Cowan is suddenly on the outside looking in, and a Leafs decision is taking shape Should Toronto keep Easton Cowan on the NHL roster or send him to the AHL? | ||
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| AHL Roster | 678 | 47.8 % |
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