'I will Belief What They Assume They Ought to Do With Me': Maple Leafs' Easton Cowan Getting ready For Problem of Prospect Showdown and NHL Coaching Camp

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September 12, 2024

Easton Cowan will do every thing he can to make the Toronto Maple Leafs out of coaching camp this yr however understands it will be difficult.

The 19-year-old and 25 different gamers are collaborating in Maple Leafs rookie camp this week earlier than they head to Montreal this weekend for a two-game Prospect Showdown towards the Canadiens.

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These subsequent few days will likely be Cowan’s alternative to showcase his skillset — which might be ok for the NHL — earlier than Toronto’s coaching camp begins subsequent week.

“I feel I am simply going to take it day-to-day. Present my ability, present my compete ethic, and simply have enjoyable on the market,” the ahead stated about what he needs to point out this week and take into Maple Leafs coaching camp.

“You are at an NHL coaching camp, rookie camp. You are assembly new guys and identical guys from final yr — a few of them — so it is only a nice expertise and I am simply trying to take it day-to-day.”

Even enjoying alongside, and towards, a few of Toronto’s high prospects is difficult. Nevertheless, the following step on the ladder, an NHL coaching camp, will likely be a good bigger feat.

Cowan, although, is raving in regards to the problem forward.

“Numerous good gamers. Clearly, the NHL’s a troublesome league, so I am simply excited for the problem, and like I stated, it is simply going to be my day-by-day mentality.”

The younger ahead can solely play in two leagues within the upcoming season: Within the NHL with Toronto, or the OHL with the London Knights. Not like his teammate and good buddy Fraser Minten, there is not any happening to the AHL if he does not make the NHL squad.

With that stated, does Cowan imagine this subsequent season is NHL or bust?

“No, probably not. I feel I am simply going to provide it my all. Play my sport, do my factor. Simply have enjoyable on the market. Be a cheerful child,” he stated, “and I will belief what they assume they need to do with me and simply belief the method like I’ve all the time been doing.”

Easton Cowan is not approaching #Leafs coaching camp with an “NHL or bust” mentality.

“I feel I am simply going to provide it my all. Play my sport, do my factor. Simply have enjoyable on the market. Be a cheerful child, and I will belief what they assume they need to do with me and simply belief the method,”

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) September 11, 2024

One space that would assist him make the Maple Leafs out of camp this yr is that he is already been by means of an NHL coaching camp and is aware of what to anticipate from the following one which’s approaching.

“I positively have a greater understanding coming into cap right here. Final yr, I did not actually know what to anticipate and this yr I do,” Cowan stated.

“I had every week off final week in Washington and form of let my physique regroup, and [I was] again at it Monday. I simply felt good on the ice and within the gymnasium. I really feel a bit stronger and sooner, so it clearly helped lots.”

Cowan admitted that he is grown over the summer season — each in peak and dimension. The ahead stated he grew an inch and added about two or three kilos in muscle. His objective is to stay at a constant weight of 180 lbs.

“In all probability like an inch. I would say I am like 5-11 and a half now. I would prefer to say six foot, however I am unable to but. Possibly with footwear on,” the ahead stated with a smile when requested how a lot taller he is grown.

Easton Cowan says he grew an inch over the summer season and added some muscle: “I would say I am like 5-11 and a half now. I would prefer to say six foot, however I am unable to but. Possibly with footwear on.”

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) September 11, 2024

The rise in dimension won’t solely assist him within the NHL coaching camp and sustain with the larger and sooner sport, however it’s going to additionally enable him to showcase himself extra at Toronto’s rookie camp this week.

Cowan believes the realm of his sport that’ll profit essentially the most from including dimension is when he goes into the corners with opponents.

“As a winger, you get into lots of puck battles alongside the boards, and people are essential in any sort of sport,” Cowan stated. “It is simply getting these pucks out and being a bit stronger that’ll assist lots.”

Cowan skated alongside Minten and Nikita Grebenkin throughout the first rookie skate, and it seems the three will stay collectively all through the remainder of the prospect camp. This week is a chance for all three gamers, Cowan, Minten, and Grebenkin, to showcase themselves earlier than the actual factor begins subsequent week.

“He is an thrilling participant. A primary-round decide. I am positive he has expectations coming in and making an attempt to make a distinction. However what I discover from him essentially the most is you may inform he loves being on the ice. He is obtained that character the place he needs the puck and he needs to be a distinction maker,” Marlies head coach John Gruden, who’s overseeing the prospect camp, stated of Cowan.

“He simply appears extra of a person. He is stronger. He is obtained that little bit extra of a pop. That yr (from the final rookie camp to this one) makes an enormous distinction, particularly enjoying for a fantastic crew and group with the London Knights. So yeah, he appears sturdy.”