Hockey Patrol has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Easton Cowan's Offseason Transformation Is Turning Up the Heat on Maple Leafs Veterans
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs top prospect Easton Cowan's goal to make the team out of camp is turning heads and his offensive and physical changes make that a very possible reality.
There's the potential this season for Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan to make the team out of camp and prove to people that not only is he ready for the big time but he's ready to succeed once he's in the lineup.
Offensively gifted, a bit tenacious and certainly poised to be a fan favorite, Cowan is looking forward to what comes next and already mentioned his main goal is to make the team for 2025-26.
How Cowan's Progress Creates Pressure on Toronto's Bottom-Six Veterans
But it's not just the mental growth we've seen from Cowan as the young forward has clearly added a bit more bulk and weight to his frame, and explained to the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby that he can feel those changes making a difference:
«It all went well, I put on weight and got better. I've been skating with the NHL guys who are all funneling back now. They're all coming up to me to give congrats (for winning the Memorial Cup) asking how my summer's been. Little messages like that go a long way and I feel a little closer and comfortable around all of them.
Cowan also gave credit to his future head coach and has a history of letting young players flourish, something that the Leafs prospect noted:
Management does a great job staying in touch with me throughout the year. I've heard from everyone. They're all being positive, so I'm 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.
Why Cowan's Confidence Could Reshape the Maple Leafs' Opening Night Roster
The combination of Cowan's confidence in himself and his growth, plus Berube's willingness to give rookies a chance means there is a very good chance that a solid camp means Cowan will be in the lineup come October 8th.
That means the internal competition is going to be heated, as there are still going to be players like David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Luke Haymes, Jacob Quillan, and even Max Domi and Michael Pezzetta all vying for the last couple of spots.
But knowing Berube has a rookie who is willing to do the dirty work at such a young age and be such an offensive presence means that he could give the edge to passion over reliability.
Plus the fans would be ecstatic to see Cowan already in the fray and knowing that the team has a propensity to trade their future away, perhaps they are just getting to see him while they can.
Cowan had an incredible OHL career. He posted 220 points in 185 games (84 goals, 136 assists) while winning League and Playoff MVP, won two OHL Championships, a Memorial Cup, and had an insane 36-game point streak at one point.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 8 | 1210 ANSWERS Easton Cowan's Offseason Transformation Is Turning Up the Heat on Maple Leafs Veterans Will Easton Cowan make the Maple Leafs out of training camp? | ||
| Yes | 940 | 77.7 % |
| No | 270 | 22.3 % |
| List of polls | ||