Easton Cowan’s bulldog mentality impressing Maple Leafs brass

It may be just two games of NHL action, but Easton Cowan is leaving quite the impression.

The Toronto Maple Leafs rookie continues to impress his teammates and coaching staff, and against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Cowan one-upped his debut, and had himself a great game. His work ethic has been one of the biggest things that has jumped off the charts, and his offensive instincts with the puck continues to turn heads. Cowan collected his first NHL point against the Predators with a secondary assist on an Auston Matthews beauty, and while a spot at right-wing on the top line may not be where Cowan stays going forward, he’s certainly done his best to silence the doubters after just two NHL appearances.

“Just the confidence that he has with the puck, and skating,” stated Oliver Ekman-Larsson in his postgame scrum. “Obviously he’s got that skill, he works really hard, so I really like that part of his game. I think everyone knew that he was good at making plays with the puck, but he’s working really hard out there. Getting on the forecheck, getting the puck back. He’s been really good.”

Ekman-Larsson wasn’t the only one who noticed Cowan’s motor against the Predators as head coach Craig Berube had a ton of praise for the Maple Leafs top prospect turned important top-six forward, at least for now. Cowan showcased some great chemistry with Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews, and together their line posted six points in the win.

“I think he really supports the puck well with those guys and makes a lot of little plays that maybe go unnoticed to a lot of people, but I noticed it,” said the Leafs’ bench boss. “He’s a dog on a bone out there for me. He hounds everything, gets pucks back, strips people, he’s played well. He played well again tonight, back to back nights, I wasn’t sure but I thought he had another good game.”

Cowan played 14:05 of ice-time again on Wednesday, the exact same amount as his NHL debut. Give props to the 20-year-old because two games in and he’s making a significant impact, both with and without the puck. For any young forward in the league, and especially one under Berube, it’s going to be a lot of what you’re doing without the puck than with it, as the skill level is there, but all eyes are on the attention to details, and the complete 200-foot game. Right now, no concerns on either as Cowan has shown off the entire tool box.

With Nick Robertson trade speculation ramping up of late, Cowan appears to be in a position to stick around for the entire season as even if he doesn’t secure himself as the first-line right winger moving forward, with his bulldog mentality, his game could also be suited in more of a checking role on the Leafs’ third line. Ideally, he’s not playing fourth line minutes, and is situated somewhere among the top nine for the rest of the regular season.

For now, it’s game by game, and Cowan’s next time to impress will come Thursday night when the Leafs host the New York Rangers. Look for the Maple Leafs’ rookie to once again show off his work ethic and determination.

Relentless. Like a dog on a bone.