Maple Leafs’ Cowan takes stock: ‘I have to capitalize’

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Mission accomplished for Easton Cowan on Thursday night.

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To an extent.

Hours before he played on a line with Mitch Marner and Max Domi in the Maple Leafs’ preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens, Cowan had a goal in mind during his media availability after the morning skate: Play with a little more freedom and let his instincts, especially on offence, lead.

That happened at Scotiabank Arena in the Leafs’ 2-1 win, as Cowan led Toronto forwards with six shot attempts, including three shots on goal. Cowan was more effective and was around the net more than he was in the Leafs’ previous two preseason games.

“I know I still got a bit more in me, but I just had more confidence,” Cowan said. “Felt like everything was clicking. I was moving my feet a bit more, created more chances.”

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What’s the next step as Cowan tries to convince coach Craig Berube that he is deserving of a lineup spot on opening night on Oct. 9, in Montreal?

Cowan was candid in what has to happen in his remaining preseason games.

“I have to capitalize,” Cowan said. “You can do all that for fun, but if the puck doesn’t go in the net, it doesn’t matter, so I have to work on that. That takes practice and time, and more patience when I have the puck in the slot, and I’ll learn to do that.”

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Time is of the essence for the 19-year-old, though, truth be told, it might not matter once the pre-season is over. Taking into account the competition for jobs in camp, it would be understood if Berube considers National Hockey League experience as a deciding factor in the cuts that eventually will come.

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Much has been made of the fact that it’s either the Leafs or the London Knights in 2024-25 for Cowan, but for those who figure he can’t do anything more in junior, remember that playing for coach Dale Hunter for another season in London wouldn’t exactly be a setback in Cowan’s development. And Berube and Hunter are close friends, so nothing would be missed in their conversations regarding Cowan and his progression.

Berube liked what he saw in Cowan’s performance on Thursday agreeing with the idea that Cowan was letting it flow a little more.

“Yeah, definitely,” Berube said. “I thought he had a really good game. Did a lot of good things. Skated with the puck. Was strong on it, won some battles. He hounded like I expected. He is a good worker with skill. He had a lot of energy, was very noticeable.”

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The chemistry that Cowan had with Marner and Domi, former Knights he looked up to as a kid, was clear. Preseason, yes, but Cowan didn’t get caught up in skating on a line with a couple of guys, particularly Marner, he idolized.

“Playing with them was something I’ll never forget, and definitely grew up dreaming about it,” Cowan said. “Elite talent. You watch (Marner) all game and play after play, you can’t even describe how cool it is to watch from the bench or when you’re on the ice with him. Domi is a heck of a player too.

“There’s a lot of depth at forward, and I’m taking it day by day like I’ve been saying, and having fun with it.”

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