Craig Berube Drops Eye-Opening Comments on Easton Cowan After Performance vs. Senators
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 3-2 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, head coach Craig Berube had high praise for top prospect Easton Cowan.
Tuesday night brought a lot of excitement and hype around Toronto's preseason game against Ottawa as it was the first time we would see names like Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly and William Nylander all take the ice in preparation for the 2025 season.
While the team came out firing and were able to secure a 2-0 lead, they slowly saw that lead vanish before Ottawa sealed the deal in the extra frame.
Though it was disappointing, there was a lot to enjoy about the performances of certain players. Auston Matthews looked healthy and in prime form, and Dennis Hildeby was incredibly effective in his half of the game.
Easton Cowan's Performance Impresses Craig Berube...Yet Again
But one player who also had a very solid outing was top prospect Easton Cowan, who earned himself another shot on Tuesday night and made the most of it, adding an assist on Bobby McMann's power play goal:
It wasn't lost of the head coach either, as after the game Craig Berube had yet another glowing review of his young rookie:
For sure [regarding if he's progressed]. The conversations I had with him before camp He's doing those things, you know?
Simplified, simple hockey, and using his speed.
Obviously, he has abilities out there, with making plays and things like that, which he showed me tonight; but they were the right plays at the right time, which is important.
I thought that he played directly all game. He worked and hounded, back checked, and did a lot of good things.
Simplified, simple hockey, and using his speed.
Obviously, he has abilities out there, with making plays and things like that, which he showed me tonight; but they were the right plays at the right time, which is important.
I thought that he played directly all game. He worked and hounded, back checked, and did a lot of good things.
It wasn't the offense that made Berube happy but it was his tenacity and the aggressiveness he showed regardless of the situation that not only earned him a few compliments, but also prime time with John Tavares and William Nylander at the end of the game.
Can Easton Cowan Earn A Spot On Toronto?
While there was always discussion about him making a play for a spot in the lineup, two straight games has he played well and both times he impressed the head coach.
His maturity and understanding of the game is already elite, and though he has to work on his discipline a little bit, the extra aggressiveness isn't lost on Berube; a coach whose lineup thrives on causing frustration and chaos.
He'll have to outplay guys like Nick Robertson and David Kampf in order to do so, but his rapid ascension up the lineup in Tuesday's contest is a very positive sign.
Cowan gives 100% every time he steps on the ice, and once he breaks out offensively he could be a star for years to come; a menacing two-way force who isn't afraid to get dirty when he needs to.
That sounds like a Craig Berube player if there ever was one, and it's looking like Easton Cowan is quickly becoming of his favorites.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 24 | 1881 ANSWERS Craig Berube Drops Eye-Opening Comments on Easton Cowan After Performance vs. Senators Do you think Easton Cowan is going to make the Toronto Maple Leafs this season? | ||
| Yes | 1436 | 76.3 % |
| No | 445 | 23.7 % |
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