Young Easton Cowan a bright spot for Maple Leafs in 4-3 exhibition loss
Cowan #Cowan
Breadcrumb Trail Links
Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published Sep 25, 2023 • Last updated 25 minutes ago • 4 minute read
Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg (left) and defenceman John Klingberg (right) try to squeeze out Ottawa Senators’ Drake Batherson as they chase down a puck during pre-season action in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. Photo by Cole Burston /THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content
Ah, the sweet exuberance of youth.
While that no longer describes Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander in their grizzled mid-20s, the Maple Leafs are getting their first look at the 2023 first-round pick Easton Cowan at this training camp and in Monday’s first exhibition game in particular.
Article content
While likely headed back to the London Knights in a few days, the centre impressed in the 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, with a goal, nearly another on a penalty shot and what a kinder official scorer might have awarded an assist.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Article content
There was certainly no hesitation to try the moves that made him a 74-point teen in the OHL last year in 88 games. Westerner Fraser Minten, the top pick a year ago, performed in similar fashion Sunday in Ottawa. Coach Sheldon Keefe rewarded Cowan with ice time late in Monday’s game during a 6-on-5, for the final 29 seconds, a 6-on-4 when Marner tied it and a chunk of 3-on-3 extra time.
“This is more of what he showed us in (the rookie tournament) in Traverse City,” said Sheldon Keefe said, who added Cowan had earned a longer look at camp. “He put an exclamation point on it tonight. He was outstanding. I tried to talk myself out (using him so much at the end) because I have Matthews and Kampf and older guys. But it was hard not to. Every time he was on the ice he made something happen.”
There was no lack of effort from other Leafs of various vintages on Monday, but unfamiliarity was evident in their second pre-season loss to a different Senators lineup in as many days.
After some detailed work with new assistant coach Guy Boucher, the Leafs rolled out their revamped power play with Matthews, Marner, free agent Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Robertson up front (the latter two standing in for the absent Nylander and John Tavares). Blueline quarterback John Klingberg made his first appearance, too, but there were some inevitable bugs, such as Klingberg caught pinching low when Marner threw one of his unexpected passes across the top. Klingberg and Bertuzzi assisted on Marner’s tying marker.
Road to the Cup
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
It was Cowan and the No. 2 unit scoring first with the extra man — after his earlier penalty shot. Playing on a regular line with fellow rookie Ryan Tverberg and Marlie senior Joseph Blandisi, Cowan drew the freebie on a breakaway. But he took the long way to Ottawa goalie Mads Sogaard who tracked him easily with a pad save.
Easton Cowan puts on a Maple Leafs jersey after being picked by the team during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Cowan found redemption when completing a set of quick passes from Nick Abruzzese and Noah Gregor on the second man advantage unit, beating Sogaard low from the slot with a one-timer. It was just as important a point for Gregor, who is on a professional tryout contract after the San Jose Sharks did not qualify him.
Cowan appeared to assist on a Blandisi goal to make it 3-2 after the Senators top players on this flying visit, Vladimir Tarasenko, Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun, hooked up on one of their power plays.
“I had a bit of nerves on the penalty shot, the building was going crazy, Cowan said.“It feels good to wear the jersey I had on at the draft. It’s good they trust me, I have confidence in my game. Glad we tied it up, I wish we could have won.“In warmup, I saw all the (fans’ homemade) signs and knew my family and friends were there.”
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Starter Joseph Woll, who finished so strong in his rookie year, didn’t get a lot of first-period help. David Kampf won a defensive draw only to have prospect Topi Niemela throw it softly up the middle where another Finn, Roby Jarventie, eventually converted. Dominik Kubalik scored on a screen after the Sens trapped the Leafs and got traffic to distract Woll. Chychrun’s goal caught the inside of the post, but Woll stopped Mathieu Joseph on a breakaway before the first period concluded.
He also held the fort the first 10 minutes of the middle period, with Martin Jones relieving him after 19 saves. Walking right into a full Ottawa power play when Marshall Rifai got too aggressive in a crease scrum, Jones made an early save with another off his post in a strong outing.
New Maple Leafs prepare for Toronto’s first home exhibition 
Nylander’s initial steps at centre positive in Maple Leafs’ pre-season opening loss in Ottawa 
In Maple Leafs camp on a PTO, Gregor has enthusiastic designs on earning a spot Jones likely has the toughest battle of the three goalies at camp, needing to make the most of limited playing time to show he’s the better alternative to sophomore Woll behind Ilya Samsonov.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“Feeling settled at the rink makes a big difference,” Jones said Monday morning. “Coming to a new city and new team, I just have to feel comfortable and once you get on the ice, that part is pretty familiar.
“This is a great building. I’ve been around a little while and played in them all a bit.”
At 5-on-5 with Jake McCabe as his projected regular season partner, Klingberg showed some creative spark as advertised and looked poised when breakdowns loomed. He had five shots on goal through 40 minutes, McCabe four hits.
An announced crowd of 14,296 was at Scotiabank Arena. The Leafs have Tuesday off, then will be in St. Thomas, Ont., Wednesday for the Kraft Hockeyville game against Buffalo. Captain Tavares will likely see his first action.
lhornby@postmedia.com
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video Article content Share this article in your social network Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
Join the Conversation
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Advertisement 1
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.