Scout’s Analysis: What Easton Cowan showed in his first NHL stint

The development of young prospects at the NHL level never travels on a straight line. Every prospect goes through their own share of ups and downs. It takes time to adjust to the speed, strength and detail of the NHL game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs demoted Easton Cowan to the AHL on Wednesday and Iâ€m assuming he will suit up for the Marlies Friday night in Hershey and Saturday in Lehigh Valley.

In saying that, I also see a path back to the NHL club if a forward is injured or if Leafs head coach Craig Berube sours on the effort and results from one or more of his forwards.

Here are some of the reasons why Cowan has landed in the AHL for the time being, followed by my takeaways from his first segment of games at the NHL level:

With Scott Laughton returning to the lineup the Leafs were up to 15 forwards on the roster and someone had to go. The team is clearly attempting to find out which line combinations give them the best chance at success on a nightly basis and getting Laughton back provides balance amongst the four lines.

To activate Laughton from the IR, the Leafs needed to get some cap relief and Cowan’s demotion is the result of that. An argument could certainly be made that the Leafs would be better off with Cowan on the roster instead of Calle Jarnkrok or Sammy Blais or possibly Steven Lorentz, but those players would all need to go on waivers. Cowen was the only player who’s exempt since he’s on his entry-level contract.

The result is that with Cowan down and Laughton back, the Leafs have $86,407 of salary cap space.

Meantime, David Kampf being buried in the AHL is costing the Leafs $1.25 million against the cap. There have been rumblings that Kampf is considering terminating his deal with Toronto so that he could find a new NHL home — and that the Leafs are looking for a possible trade — but for now he’s taking up valuable cap space while being rostered, with the Marlies, but not playing there.

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What has Easton Cowan’s impact been?

Cowan has dressed for 10 games with the Leafs and averaged 12:30 of ice time per game. All of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play. Heâ€s produced 1G-3A and skated alongside a variety of linemates, including some time with the top line.

I appreciate he has the skill to play high up the lineup, but have also noticed heâ€s willing to provide some necessary energy. Having said that, Cowan projects as a top-six forward so the more experience he gets playing on one of the top lines, and on the power play, the better.

One of the things that concerned me to some degree early on in training camp was the adjustment Cowan was having to make with the speed of the NHL game. There were times I felt his compete level was fine, but he was chasing the play overall.

Fast forward to his last segment of NHL games and I have to say Cowanâ€s detail and timing has improved. Heâ€s tracking up and down the ice on time and his effort was recently rewarded when he scored his first NHL goal in Philadelphia on the weekend.

The following clip displays what Iâ€m describing when stating Cowan is playing with detail and pace. He rubs Philadelphia forward Owen Tippett off his route in the defensive zone after John Tavares wins the face-off and then easily beats two Flyers, including Tippett, up ice before going bar down for his first NHL tuck.

Cowan has been engaged defensively and his timing, in relation to locking on to his man or getting in the shooting lanes to block a shot or take away space, is vastly improved from the beginning of the season.

Heâ€s plus-1 on the year, which isnâ€t terrible when compared to a player like Max Domi who averages the same amount of ice time, has produced the same amount of offence, and is minus-9 so far this year.

Hereâ€s an example of Cowanâ€s commitment in the defensive zone. His small area quickness allows him to front the shooter and results in a shot block. He then tracks to the middle of the ice to take away the deep slot option.

Most fans of the game put a ton of stock in point production when analyzing prospects. Cowan was a prolific scorer at the junior level playing for the London Knights, but he was at his best when he approached the game with a tenacity to outwork his opponents. This is also what NHL coaches appreciate from offensive-minded forwards when they arenâ€t scoring and Craig Berube has said as much about Cowan in recent interviews.

Here’s an example of Cowan battling for a puck versus Columbus. He establishes proper body positioning by jumping to space ahead of his opponent and attempts to make a play towards the Blue Jackets’ net. The “teaching point†of the sequence occurs when he gets turned sideways in the neutral zone, which allows Columbus forward Adam Fantilli to jump ahead of him and pressure up ice into the Toronto zone.

The good news is Cowan checks all the way back to his goal line and eventually ends up with the puck and outlets to Morgan Rielly for a zone exit.

Considering the amount of ice time Cowan has been given, his shots on goal volume (15) is more than acceptable. Having said that, I would like to see him get to the deep slot more often with the puck and generate more high danger shot attempts overall.

According to NHL Edge data, here is the breakdown of Cowanâ€s shots on goal. He ranks in the bottom half of the league in total shots on goal and high danger opportunities, but is in the upper tiers for shots on net from longer range.

When I take an even deeper look into Cowanâ€s statistical profile it breaks down as follows compared to the rest of the NHL:

When Iâ€m scouting prospects they have to establish themselves in three key categories before I can determine if their skill attributes have a chance to impact the game at the NHL level:

1. The prospect has to skate at NHL pace (small area bursts and open ice speed).

2. The prospect must demonstrate an ability to think the game at a high level (Hockey IQ).

3. Players have to show willingness to outwork their opponents (relentless compete).

Cowan is establishing himself in these categories and providing some secondary offence as a result. Heâ€s not killing penalties, but heâ€s certainly not a liability in the defensive zone and could be used in that role in time. His contribution on the Leafs’ power play is evolving as well.

Cowan will go through some ups and downs in his first year at the pro level. For now, heâ€s been caught up in a numbers game that has resulted in a temporary demotion to the AHL. Itâ€s a delicate scenario for Cowan, but given his growth as a player in the last month I envision him returning to the Leafs lineup sooner than later.

The AHL is a very hard league for young pros to develop in. Everyone at that level is trying to earn the trust of their organization, with the goal of someday becoming a full-time NHL player. Cowan needs to continue to play a detailed, fast game and find ways to generate more high danger scoring opportunities in the offensive zone without sacrificing defensive zone commitment.

I expect him to take this minor setback in stride and continue to evolve in his first-year at the pro level.

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