Easton Cowan targeted the biggest weakness in his NHL game before Maple Leafs camp

Easton Cowan says he spent the summer working specifically on his skating, with the goal of adding more speed and power before Maple Leafs camp.

After a 66-game, 29-point campaign in his debut NHL season, Easton Cowan finished off his rookie season with a Calder Cup win after helping the Toronto Marlies secure their first championship since 2018.

Though it was a very good start to his career, Cowan can certainly be better and he knows as such. Cowan appeared on TSN OverDrive on Tuesday and explained how his offseason routine was going along with his thoughts on the upcoming season.

Easton Cowan's rookie year showed the difference between playing fast and being fast

When he was pressed about what's changed this summer and what he's focused on improving, Cowan wasn't shy about admitting his skating needed to get a bit better, and was working hard with his skating coach to add a more steady motor, and create a more powerful Cowan:

I feel like I've gotten faster, you know. I've done a lot of power skating with my power skating coach, Kathy. She's been great all summer, so I'm just looking to take the extra step. That way, it'll help me out a lot.

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Cowan was someone who added a lot of energy last season, but wasn't necessarily the fastest. He ranked in the <50th percentile for max skating speed at only 21.67 MPH, so a lot of his energy came from short bursts of speed. He ranked in the 78th percentile in 20-22 MPH bursts with 112, so his feet were always moving - but maybe not as quick as they could be.

Cowan's rookie season showed the difference between playing with pace and creating true separation. His motor was never the issue; the next step is turning that energy into more space with the puck before NHL defenders can close on him.

You can be everywhere on the ice, but if you're constantly being hounded then you won't do much - though Cowan is adept at drawing penalties so his ability to be everywhere has its advantages.

More speed could open up a more consistent role for Easton Cowan in the Maple Leafs lineup

Though if Cowan has improved on his acceleration and skating speed over the summer, then that could open up more chances for him to break into the top-six consistently. If he's able to show that he can create separation, win more puck battles, and carry the puck with confidence then he can really be a great complement.

We know the talent is there, and his 29-point rookie campaign is nothing to ignore especially given that the team wasn't exactly blowing people out of the water.

But with a more dedicated approach to skating and creating more distance between himself and the opponents, he'll be able to utilize more of that creative and dynamic offensive skillset to to damage, while keeping up with faster teammates who are jumping into the mix.

If the added speed translates, Cowan gives Jim Hiller more flexibility to test him higher in the lineup, whether that comes beside John Tavares, William Nylander or another offensive unit during camp.

It's not just Easton Cowan's talent that got him to the NHL but his heart, boundless energy and tenacious play style. Knowing that his skating could be improved, Cowan showed that he's aware of his flaws and wants to correct them.

His real test though will be using his newfound speed to create separation, arrive first on loose pucks and carry speed through the neutral zone. If it does, Toronto may get a more dangerous version of the same relentless player it already trusts.

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