Craig Berube Reveals Whether Easton Cowan Is Ready for the NHL
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube gave his thoughts on whether or not Easton Cowan has earned the right to make the team after a strong preseason.
With the final preseason game over and all focus on the regular season, it seems that the Toronto Maple Leafs have their lineup set for when October 8th comes around and they kick things off against their oldest rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.
It's going to be the first year without Mitch Marner, and a new group of faces have come in to help give Craig Berube's system a bit more toughness, grit, and balance though the team still has some high expectations.
Part of those new faces is top prospect Easton Cowan, who is currently penciled in as a starter and has put in a strong all-around effort at both ends of the ice, which was seemingly enough for Berube to give him a shot, as he's done before.
Craig Berube's Honest Take on Easton Cowan's Development
But when pressed about whether or not Cowan was ready, the head coach didn't hold back and explained that the rookie certainly deserves his spot and proved it this preseason:
I think he is. We got decisions to make, but I think he showed us enough that he is ready. I mean, he's got a motor on him ... Like, he's just constant work and he's got a high IQ. I like him a lot.
That's incredibly high praise from a coach who doesn't really let you get away with many mistakes. Berube stresses hard work, fighting in the dirtier areas of the ice and fighting to get back on defense.
Cowan had that in spades during his three preseason games, and while the offence hasn't been quite there just yet, with enough time and his self-professed confidence; it won't take long.
How Cowan's Preseason Impact Shapes Maple Leafs' Roster Decisions
Though he only scored two points this preseason, Cowan has shown a ton of energy and life when he's been on the ice, and his relentless engine has been on full display:
Plus, he's been exactly as tenacious and aggressive as we had hoped, and to show that type of fire already is a great sign for the future:
It's not that Cowan is just fighting for his spot, but he's proving to show that once he comes up, he's staying here for good.
That means guys like David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Nick Robertson, and Michael Pezzetta aren't going to get consistent looks, and while things are wonky with Scott Laughton's injury; he's going to be back eventually.
Plus we already saw what Cowan can do with Laughton and Steven Lorentz, so putting him in the lineup makes a ton of sense; and it seems like Berube certainly favors the rookie over guys like Kampf and Jarnkrok who have been basically invisible.
It's year full of changes for the Maple Leafs, and Cowan is going to be a key part of it, and though they won't have as strong a lineup as last year, they'll certainly have a lot to look forward to with their prized top prospect.
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