What Easton Cowan's Rookie Season Really Tells Us

When you look at Easton Cowan’s rookie season, two things jump out at me. In this piece, it wasn’t that we already knew that. It was the explanation for why his numbers never quite matched what people thought they were seeing on the ice. That's one of the places where hockey gets interesting.

By the numbers, Cowan’s rookie season might have looked better.

One of the more interesting takeaways from Arun Srinivasan’s review of Cowan’s rookie season was that his analytics might have been improved. They're an important tool. But they don't always tell the whole story, especially with young players who spend half the season being moved all over the lineup. One night they're skating with Auston Matthews. The next they're on the fourth line taking defensive-zone faceoffs. Throw those minutes together, and it's no surprise the underlying numbers look average.

That's where watching the games still matters. Cowan was a hard worker. He got to loose pucks first. He kept plays alive along the boards. He made little five-foot passes that extended possessions. Those aren't always the plays that jump off a stat sheet, but coaches notice them. Teammates notice them too.

The other thing that stood out about Cowan was his competitiveness.

For years, one criticism of the Maple Leafs has been that they were a little too easy to play against. Skill wasn't the issue. Pushback sometimes was. Cowan seemed to bring that naturally. Whether it was standing up for teammates, battling against bigger players, or simply refusing to quit on a puck battle, he played with an edge that Toronto could use a lot more of.

That's why the coaching change could be such a big deal. Young players rarely develop in a straight line. They need opportunity, but they also need trust. If they're constantly worried that one mistake sends them to the fourth line or into the press box, they're going to play cautiously instead of instinctively.

Jim Hiller has a chance to change Cowan’s game.

If Cowan knows where he fits and gets consistent minutes with players who can think the game at his speed, we may finally get a clearer picture of what kind of NHL player he can become. Maybe he tops out as a complementary top-six winger. Maybe he's an outstanding third-line driver who can move up when needed. Either outcome has real value.

Sometimes player development isn't about the player taking a giant leap. Sometimes it's about the organization finally getting out of the player's way.

That might be the biggest difference between Easton Cowan’s first and second NHL seasons.