The Toronto Maple Leafs enter training camp with some roster spots up for grabs.
One player looking to make the roster is top forward prospect Easton Cowan. Cowan nearly made Toronto two years ago as an 18-year-old, but now, with Mitch Marner leaving, he has a legit chance to earn a roster spot and a top-six role.
However, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube says Cowan’s ‘gotta change’ some things 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 heâs 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. “Heâs gotta change a little bit, because junior is different than pro. We all know that. Cowboyâs had a real good summer. Heâs stronger. Heâs bigger. Heâs prepared. And he understands what he needs to do to try to make the team.”
If Cowan makes the changes Berube wants to see, then perhaps he will make the team out of training camp.
Cowan was selected 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs.
Cowan Hopeful to Make Maple Leafs
After spending the last two seasons in the OHL and helping the London Knights win the Memorial Cup, Cowan is hoping he will make the roster.
Cowan knows there is a chance he can earn a spot on the roster in training camp, and he says that is his goal.
âMy mindset right now is to make the Toronto Maple Leafs,â Cowan said to the Toronto Sun. âThatâs my goal. Weâre at an NHL camp and thatâs where Iâm at until further notice. This is definitely the most confident Iâve ever felt â faster, stronger, bigger. So thatâs going to help me out a lot. Iâve put in the work this summer. Now, itâs just go out there and prove I can play.â
Cowan has an offensive upside that could earn him a roster spot with the Maple Leafs. But, he must prove to Berube that he can be an upgrade over the current players on the team.
Toronto’s Management Credited for Cowan’s Development
Cowan was a surprise pick when Toronto took him, as many mocked him as a second-rounder.
However, since being picked, Cowan has blossomed into a top prospect. Although he has done plenty of maturing in his game, he credits the Maple Leafs’ management for making him a better player.
âManagement does a great job staying in touch with me throughout the year,â Cowan said. âIâve heard from everyone. Theyâre all being positive, so Iâm being positive. The coach (Craig Berube) is like the other management, staying in touch about little stuff to help a prospect make that jump easier.â
Cowan and the Maple Leafs open their preseason on Sept. 21 against the Ottawa Senators.
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