Easton Cowan Enters Maple Leafs Camp With His Boldest Statement Yet
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs/NHL.com
Easton Cowan spoke on his growth on the ice, and what he needs to do to make the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.
Going into rookie camp, Easton Cowan is beginning the tough battle to secure a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, but Cowan seemingly knows that if he is going to surprise and make it, he has certain things he needs to do.
To reporters, Cowan said he's not as focused on his natural strengths, but is more focused on improving the lesser parts of his game and rounding out his game to add more overall potential to his game.
Easton Cowan's Growth on and off the Ice Sets the Stage for Leafs Camp
Easton Cowan is taking on a leadership role at Toronto Maple Leafs rookie camp, but he'll still be proving himself once he progresses to training camp with the rest of the Leafs roster.
Cowan spoke on what he sees in himself heading into training camp and to start the season compared to this time the year prior.
Definitely stronger, bigger, and faster. It's the best I've ever felt coming into camp. I feel confident and ready to get going.
Cowan also added that he had added seven pounds of muscle and is now at 190lbs, along with at 5'11'5, adding an inch since he was drafted.
On top of his strength, Cowan says he will be focused on his defensive pedigree, showing that he can be more of a physical presence knowing his offense is the major strength in his game.
Gotta be a worker, gotta be a hound. Get pucks in, gets pucks out, play simple, because me and the Leafs know that if I do that my offense will take over, so just focus on defense and the offense will come
Cowan said he spent the offseason skating with a few current NHLers, including Nick Suzuki and Lawson Crouse, saying he learned from them.
On the mental aspect of maturing into an NHL role, Cowan says he embraces the challenge and believes he has and can continue to have the right mindset.
At the end of the day I'm playing hockey, I get paid to play hockey, that was my goal in life, and I'm here, and I want to stick here, and it's fun so you just gotta have a free mindset, you know, and just try to enjoy it, live life day by day.
As well as the increased muscle, Cowan appears to just as importantly have confidence, and that could be something that takes him a long way and potentially onto the Leafs roster.
Why Cowan's Confidence Could Put Pressure on the Maple Leafs' Roster
Easton Cowan is working harder to make the Leafs lineup after showcasing his dominance in the OHL, and is looking to prove he doesn't need the AHL, he's ready now.
Cowan has been a workhorse his entire career, and has had an immense effort level throughout, wanting to get better at every level with each passing game. The Leafs will value that mindset heavily.
The Leafs have wanted more players who play with a high effort level and want to win, and as a proven winner in the OHL and Memorial Cup, Cowan has the mentality that Toronto wants to see, one that constantly wants to win and get better.
There's no guarantee that Cowan will have a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, but if he's committed to working as hard as he says he wishes to, it could propel him to a spot in the lineup in a hurry, with Toronto hoping he can reach that peak sooner rather than later.
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