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Easton Cowan's usage highlights a disconnect in the Maple Leafs' plans
Photo credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Although he's back in the lineup, Easton Cowan isn't being used in a top spot and if Toronto wants him to be a key contributor, he'll need to play a little bit more.
With the injury to William Nylander, the Toronto Maple Leafs needed to make a lineup change and put Easton Cowan back in the lineup after he missed the last three games as a healthy scratch.
It's a great sign that he's at least getting his shot again, and if he can translate this into a strong performance he may earn himself some more playing time. Craig Berube wanted him back in the lineup soon, and now he has a chance to make a huge impact.
Easton Cowan can't get much going if he's on the fourth line
However it's where he's been placed in the lineup that may be giving some a little pause as he was lining up against Detroit on the fourth line alongside Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton.
While it shouldn't be a huge concern given that Berube has employed this lineup in the past and they have had some good chemistry together, if he wanted to replace Nylander's production then giving Cowan a bigger opportunity should be in the cards.
Can he replace Nylander? No, very few can. But he can be impactful in the top-six, and with the new-look lineup, he could slot in very nicely in Matias Maccelli's position on the second line with John Tavares and Matthew Knies.
Let the 'Cowboy' enjoy his first rodeo
There seems to be a bit of a disconnect when it comes to what Toronto wants out of Cowan and what they are giving him. Clearly they want him around the team, but don't want him to play every game. It's fair given he's a rookie, but can't be going two weeks in between appearances.
Plus, it's not like Berube hedges his bets on the fourth line, as Lorentz and Laughton have 11:31 and 13:15 TOI respectively; they don't play as much as the others and Cowan will in turn, also get less time.
It's not like he's been a bust, he has 11 points in 26 games however it feels like whenever he makes a mistake or two, he's immediately yoinked out instead of being able to learn from them or try and redeem himself.
He needs to play more because Toronto needs to also make sure they have someone they can rely on for years to come. We haven't gotten to see what he can do under pressure but he's shown previously he can come up big and avoid a potential Nick Robertson-esque scenario.
Give him a chance to fail and succeed, take his lumps, and let him grow. Craig Berube's done it before, and he could be losing a huge part of his offense by letting Cowan stagnate in the bottom half of the lineup.