Easton Cowan theory emerges as Maple Leafs roster plan comes into focus
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
According to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, the team is holding off on playing him until the trade deadline comes into clearer focus and the lineup changes.
Easton Cowan hasn't played in a month for the Maple Leafs and with them unable to send him down to the AHL prior to the Olympic break, he's been stuck in limbo as the team still mulls which path they want to go down this season.
It's disheartening no doubt, and the Toronto fans and media are getting a bit frustrated with the lack of decision making when it comes to Cowan, and if the season is as lost as it looks -- playing him would only be beneficial.
Cowan could find regular time post-deadline
That might actually be the game plan, at least according to Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman explained on his 32 Thoughts podcast that he believes Cowan is going to get his shot, he just needs to wait a little bit longer:
My theory is they've basically said wait a week and you'll be playing the last month of the season.
Well with two straight losses coming out of the break, and no real direction for the team going forward it would behoove the team to become sellers considering they not only hold some very intriguing assets, but it offers a chance for Cowan to slot in regularly.
Guys like Calle Jarnkrok, Matias Maccelli, and Bobby McMann are all players who Cowan can slide in the lineup for, and if there's no real chance of the team making the playoffs, they'll need bodies to fill the lineup as the season progresses.
Toronto at risk of fully messing with Easton Cowan's rookie year
The issue is that Toronto seems to hum and haw around when it comes to playing their younger guys, as we've seen several call-ups who just get demoted later on without even a sniff.
Cowan's season hasn't been something that's blown anyone away, if so he would be in the lineup. But he has still put in a respectable 17 points in 43 games (7 goals, 10 assists) with 45 hits, 23 blocks, a plus-two, and 14 PIM in 13:31 TOI.
That's much better than the likes of Jarnkrok, and it's a shame that Craig Berube and company isn't giving Cowan more of a chance. Yes the season had some downs, but how can you expect the rookie to adjust if he can't face perseverance.
For all the hype around Easton Cowan, Toronto's seemingly killed that off but in a week's time he may be able to get another chance at proving why he shouldn't have been left out in the first place.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 27|795 ANSWERS Easton Cowan theory emerges as Maple Leafs roster plan comes into focus Is Toronto ruining Easton Cowan's rookie season? | ||
| Yes | 643 | 80.9 % |
| No | 152 | 19.1 % |
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