Easton Cowan Reflects on Mitch Marner's Advice as Leafs Star Nears Departure
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan revealed some advice passed on from Mitch Marner, who is set to leave the team short of Cowan making his NHL debut.
For the Maple Leafs, they are going to have a much different team than this season, with Mitch Marner all but assured to be leaving, but even in doing so, it seems like he's still going to be helping make an impact.
Mitch Marner's Leaving Leads Way For Easton Cowan
Even though he's gone, the team is welcoming a new London Knights phenom in Easton Cowan, fresh off back to back OHL Championships and two incredible seasons, with hopes he'll make the roster in 2025-26.
But it's Marner's advice that should help Cowan transition a bit easier into the NHL, and lead to a fruitful career:
Never take anything for granted.
It certainly seems that Cowan is taking every day as a blessing, and he should considering how much success he's already seen in his short career.
Winning back to back titles with the London Knights, including a blistering 39 points in this year's Finals, the sky seems to be the limit for Cowan.
It's also a bit of a nice end to Marner's tenure with the Leafs, knowing that while he's headed out, he can at least pass the torch and give some good advice for Cowan.
Marner certainly doesn't take anything for granted, and was complimentary in explaining his time with Toronto, though his speaking in the past tense all but assured him leaving, but he seems to be grateful for every opportunity:
«It's meant everything. You know, maybe a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto, and I've been forever grateful to wear this Maple Leaf and be a part of this; with some of the great legends here, and to wear this jersey.
I've never taken a day for granted and have always, always loved it.
So with that in mind, what's the future hold for Cowan?
Easton Cowan's Brilliant Career Thus Far
Well it feels like the only thing left for
Cowan is for him to break through at the NHL level.
While it's possible that he ends up playing a bit with the Marlies, a strong training camp and Toronto being in a transitional year could be the recipe for success.
His offensive numbers have been unreal over the past two seasons. In 100 games he has 165 points (63G, 102A), while adding 73 playoff points in 35 contests.
Seems quite similar to the type of production we'd see from a player like Marner, so with a bit of seasoning and NHL reps, he could end up being the second coming of #16.
I think he is going to make a push. It is always hard to make that jump from junior to the NHL. That is a pretty big step.
He has proven everybody wrong at every level. I don't put it past him.
The defensive aspect of the game will be key for him to be able to check and keep up with the pace of play; not just the offensive side of the game. He is very close. It will be exciting to watch.
Quite the praise from Canada's greatest female player, and if she has the faith that Cowan can succeed, he probably will.
This isn't a first overall pick potentially being a bust, this is a 28th overall pick who could blossom into a superstar, and he's shown he's a lot better that that draft selection would suggest.
Cowan has also won two OHL Championships, the Red Tilson Award (OHL's Most Outstanding Player), and a Wayne Gretzky Award (OHL Playoff MVP).
There's really nothing left for him to accomplish at the junior level, and he's too good to be sitting with the Marlies next season.
With Toronto needing a new look for their team come 2025-26, who better to plug into the lineup than the potential future replacement for Mitch Marner?
Previously on HockeyPatrol
POLL |
MAI 24 | 639 ANSWERS Easton Cowan Reflects on Mitch Marner's Advice as Leafs Star Nears Departure Do you think Easton Cowan will make the Maple Leafs roster in 2025-26? |
Yes | 514 | 80.4 % |
No | 125 | 19.6 % |
List of polls |