Photo credit: Sportnet
Former NHL GM compares Easton Cowan to a beloved Leafs legend
Published March 26, 2024 at 10:52
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Easton Cowan is absolutely lighting up the OHL this season. He's made his way onto the scoresheet in 36 straight games as his London Knights head into the playoffs. Now, one TSN analyst has compared him to a Leafs legend.
After earning his way into a few pre-season games with the Leafs this season, many expect Cowan to be an NHL player next year. According to TSN scout and former NHL GM Craig Button, however, Cowan would be better off staying put for another season."I believe that he should go back and play another year of junior. This is only his second year of junior." - Button on Easton Cowan
In Button's defense, he had some reasoning behind his suggestion. Both Easton Cowan and Oliver Bonk were drafted by the Knights, but both were sent to Junior A or Junior B teams for their age 16 seasons. The end result for both was better overall development, which led to each of them being selected in the first round of last summer's NHL Entry Draft.
"That was the best thing that happened to those two kids. They didn't get overwhelmed, they didn't lose their confidence, they come back last year, Oliver's a first round pick, Easton's a first round pick. - Craig Button
Maybe a year to develop physically wouldn't be the worst thing for Cowan, but after hearing Button talk about who Cowan reminds him of, I want this kid in the NHL as soon as possible.
"When I say he plays the game like Doug Gilmour, he's not Doug Gilmour. Doug Gilmour is a Hall-of-Famer who is great, but that's the type of game that Easton plays. He's hard [on the puck], he's in there, you're not gonna deter him. That's how you get a point streak like he's got.
He kills penalties, he's in the fight, he's in the battle, he's gonna be there every single time. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe he's closer to playing - well he is closer to playing - but I just think another year, go to the World Juniors, be a dominant player at the World Junior age group and then be ready. Coming [to the NHL] too soon hurts your confidence." - Button on Cowan
He kills penalties, he's in the fight, he's in the battle, he's gonna be there every single time. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe he's closer to playing - well he is closer to playing - but I just think another year, go to the World Juniors, be a dominant player at the World Junior age group and then be ready. Coming [to the NHL] too soon hurts your confidence." - Button on Cowan
Imagine adding a young, gritty, point scoring, penalty killing, occasional glove dropping forward to the Leafs' current core. That's exactly what will happen when Easton Cowan joins the fold, whether it's next season or the one after. The Leafs have found something special in this kid. I can't wait to see him in the blue and white.
| POLL | ||
March 26 | 280 answers Former NHL GM compares Easton Cowan to a beloved Leafs legend Should Easton Cowan be a Maple Leaf next season? | ||
| Not yet, one more year | 75 | 26.8 % |
| Get him in the NHL ASAP, we need him! | 64 | 22.9 % |
| If he has a solid pre-season, give him 9 games | 141 | 50.4 % |
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