My Thoughts on Easton Cowan

 

Photo From Daily Faceoff

Last night the Leafs reached the halfway point of their preseason after beating the Montreal Canadians at home 2-1. Throughout Leafs Training Camp there has been a real focus on Easton Cowan and what the Leafs should do. Easton has appeared in all three warmup games but has yet to register a point. That doesn’t mean it’s all been negative for him because there have been glimpses of what Cowan will bring to this team. Unfortunately, though, I don’t think he is ready to break through and earn an everyday spot in this lineup. Cowan is a very talented player and his future in the sport is extremely bright, some of his talent was on display in Montreal during the rookie showcase when he helped the Leafs win both games. There were moments where he showed what he can do in the preseason. In the 6-5 overtime loss to Ottawa, there were a few shifts where he used his speed to draw a penalty or earn a scoring opportunity. Still, you could also see at times against Ottawa where he was trying to force something to happen, playing what I call hope hockey, where you attempt a low percentage play hoping it works in your favor.

Last night Cowan was placed on a line with fellow London Knights alumni Mitch Marner and Max Domi. Cowan before the game said he was excited about the opportunity and looked forward to playing with “more freedom”. Against Montreal's young squad last night, you saw Easton play with a spark as he once again used his speed to his advantage collecting multiple opportunities but was unable to find the back of the net.

I am hopeful that Easton will continue to get a look from the Leafs coaches and management in the remaining three games, but I do think sending him down is the best option for him. However, the Leafs run into a problem. The NHL has a very stupid rule where if you’re a CHL Junior player the only options you have are keeping him in the NHL or sending him back to Junior, in this case, the OHL, the AHL for some reason isn’t an option. Whereas, if he was a European prospect the Leafs could send Cowan to the Marlies without any issue. Do you see why it’s a dumb rule?

There is however a way around this nonsensical league restriction. Easton could play in his nine-game minimum and then he would have to just be a practice player for the next month but once November arrives the Leafs can send Cowan to the Marlies on a “conditioning stint” where he would join Team Canada for the World Juniors over Christmas. Once that tournament finishes up the Leafs would have to send him to London where he would play the remainder of the season.

This is a very stupid rule because to me Cowan going to London is going to slow down his development. I think it will slow him down because in London he will be able to get away with moves and plays that he can do as a junior player which possibly makes him fall into bad habits. Where if Easton played in the American League he would have to adjust to the professional game and learn that he has less time to make decisions as a Toronto Marlie than he did as a London Knight.

We saw Seattle take this route in the development of Shane Wright, but this season if he doesn’t make the Kraken out of camp they can send Shane to the American League without any issues. Also, it’s worth mentioning when Seattle went this route with Shane Wright they didn’t burn a year off his entry-level contract, which is another reason why I think Toronto will do the same with Easton, why waste a year of his rookie contract when you don’t have to.

It'll be interesting to see how things unfold but one thing is for sure when the next CBA negotiations come around this rule will be one Gary and the NHL need to change. Thanks for reading.