The Toronto Maple Leafs have begun training camp, and top prospect Easton Cowan is looking to earn a roster spot.
Cowan is entering his third training camp with the Maple Leafs. He nearly made the team his first year after being drafted, but last season, he struggled in camp.
Now, as camp is a few days old, Maple Leafs veteran John Tavares is impressed with what Cowan has shown so far.
“He just seems a lot more comfortable, I think, in what every day is going to bring,” Tavares said about Cowan. “A much better understanding of just what training camps (are) all about, of playing at the NHL level, and what the standard is, what the expectations are. Not trying to do too much, but just naturally let his talent and skill-set come out through his work ethic.”
Cowan was selected 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs. The offensive scoring winger could earn a top-six role with Toronto and help replace the void of Mitch Marner.
Cowan helped the London Knights win the Memorial Cup last season.
Morgan Rielly Impressed With Cowan
Not only is Tavares impressed with Cowan, but so too is star defenseman Morgan Rielly.
Rielly has seen a lot of top prospects come through Toronto’s system during his time with the Maple Leafs. The defenseman believes Cowan has added some much-needed size and looks capable of being an NHL player.
“He looks bigger,” Rielly said. “I think for him, there’s no doubting what he’s capable of — he’s put that on display. Making the jump is challenging, no matter who you are. So as a teammate, you want to support him, and help everyone as we get going here. The guys that are trying to make the jump up to the next level, that can be nerve-wracking.
“It’s challenging for everyone. We just want to create an environment where people can be themselves, be their best, and just go out there and compete,” Rielly added.
Cowan is listed at 6-foot, 185lbs on the Maple Leafs website.
Maple Leafs Coach Explains What Cowan Needs to Show
Although Cowan has impressed some of his teammates, he still needs to earn a roster spot for the Maple Leafs.
Ahead of training camp, Toronto coach Craig Berube spoke to the Athletic and explained what he needs to see from Cowan to earn a roster spot.
“Well, I think if you look at Cowan, he came into junior, his first year, year and a half, maybe two years, this guy was a hounder, a forechecker,” Berube said to The Athletic. “He played that style of game. He obviously developed and became a high-end junior player. But I think he’s got to think about how he came into junior and what he did.
“We need him to get the trust of the coach by playing a simple, north game, and being that hounder and that forechecker and being a difficult guy to play against, being defensively responsible, managing the puck, things like that,” Berube added. “He’s gotta change a little bit, because junior is different than pro. We all know that. Cowboy’s had a real good summer. He’s stronger, he’s bigger. He’s prepared. And he understands what he needs to do to try to make the team.”
Cowan has shown some flashes early in camp, and he will need to continue that in preseason hockey.
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