Craig Berube's recent lineup decision is drawing ire from fans as Berube looks for a to reset the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are benching rookie forward Easton Cowan in a surprise move as the 20-year-old will sit in tonight's game against the Dallas Stars, according to reports.
Also sitting out is Calle Jarnkrok, with Max Domi and Steven Lorentz back in the lineup, a move that Leafs head coach Craig Berube said was best for Cowan to get some time at the press box.
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Cowan had an assist last night against the Leafs 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators, playing on the top line after being moved up.
Why Craig Berube decided to move Easton Cowan out of the lineup
Craig Berube told reporters that he felt "it was time" to let Cowan out on the side for a game, and bring back Domi into the lineup.
Lance Hornby of 'The Toronto Sun' made the point of a back-to-back being a logical point to sit Cowan to rest a player not used to playing multiple games in a row in consecutive days.
The move has still come as a surprise with Cowan's promotion first onto the top-six and then onto the top-line for yesterday's game, but the hope is the sudden promotion of Cowan will be enough of a positive confidence booster to cancel out the negative of a benching.
The decision to bench Cowan hasn't come with a positive response from fans however, with social media not pleased with the decision to bench Cowan.
Benching of Easton Cowan draws social media ire towards Berube
The choice by Craig Berube to bench Easton Cowan has drawn social media criticism from a fanbase upset at the choice to drop one of the team's top performing players.
Cowan, who has two goals and four points in his last 10 games, has been key for the Leafs as of recent and one of the more consistent aspects of Toronto's lineup in a tough period for the team.
The move has still been met negatively by Leafs fans upset by the decision to sit one of their top players, with criticism expressed at Berube for the move.
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It's unclear if Cowan will return for Toronto's next game Tuesday against Pittsburgh, with Berube's comments indicating the scratching of Cowan is only temporary as load management.
But for a Leafs team desperate for a sparks, the decision for even a game has not been a popular decision, and one that fans aren't taking with a positive response.