‘Some younger juice’: What makes Maple Leafs’ Cowan pushed to win

TORONTO — It is late June.

Easton Cowan has simply completed hoisting the Calder Cup over his head and taking the AHL championship trophy for a half lap. His smile is lighting up Coca-Cola Coliseum. He’s soaking in sweat and within the second.

Even wrapping the ultimate sport of his first professional marketing campaign with a victory, Cowan can’t assist however consider what’s subsequent.

“Obviously it feels good,” the 21-year-old says. “I imply, successful is successful, it doesn’t matter what league it’s. It’s tremendous particular and enjoyable, particularly on this metropolis.

“So, you need to preserve successful in Toronto down the street. And proper now, take pleasure in this. But that’s the place my objectives are at.

“This is the place you want to win, for sure.”

Whereas Cowan’s present Toronto Maple Leafs teammates (Bo Groulx excepted) had their 2025-26 seasons finish in disappointment, the Marlies’ run gave him a second wind. 

A driver and chief down on the farm, the child they name “Cowboy” scored eight objectives and added 10 assists within the Marlies’ good 22-game playoff run. He was leaned on in elimination video games, defensively and offensively. Chipped in on each particular groups. Threw his physique and thoughts into the battle.

“For Cowboy, even from the first game he came down with us, to the last game, his leadership grew immensely,” AHL assistant coach Mark Giordano stated.

Fast-forward to late September, and the on a regular basis Maple Leaf with the shortest summer season and smallest paycheques (Cowan’s $900,000 entry-level cap hit has already been exceeded by buddy Gavin McKenna’s) leads Toronto in factors (three), plus/minus (plus-2), and game-winners (one).

But farm boys rise with the solar.

The buzzing Cowan was essentially the most noticeable Leaf on the sheet in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the visiting New York Islanders, serving to arrange linemate Colton Scissons’ opening purpose with a dog-on-bone forecheck, then knocking within the game-winner by driving net-front and changing a rebound off Ilya Sorokin’s pad.

Moreover, he and fellow third-liners Scissons and Nick Paul checked New York’s high line, led by Bo Horvat, and helped kill all 4 Leafs penalties.

What a distinction a yr makes. 

Cowan’s conviction in Season 2 is palpable. Those further hours chasing a Calder Cup and reacquainting the previous London Knight with a successful surroundings labored wonders.

“It did a lot. I mean, anytime you’re playing pro in the playoffs helps a lot. So, a lot of confidence heading into this year, and just want to keep it going,” Cowan stated.

“Our line was clicking. As soon as you get all four lines going, I mean, it’s fun to play. Everyone’s laughing, having fun, which is good. And we’re all working hard. So, great team win.”

Cowan factors to a tattoo of a collection of Roman numerals tattooed on the within of his left forearm. They signify June 1, 2025, the date his Knights captured the Memorial Cup. 

Winning issues to the child.

So, when Cowan was accomplished sipping from the Calder, the pesky winger devoted his summer season to the small print, changing into more adept at puck battles, swifter at plucking rims off partitions, and packing on muscle to verify he’s as sturdy as potential at his superb weight of 190 kilos.

Jim Hiller had heard tales of Cowan’s nice confidence and relentless motor. But what caught the brand new Leafs coach’s eye was the second-youngest Leaf’s willpower. How early he reveals as much as the rink to stretch, eat correctly, and grind away within the health club. 

“Mentally, he really wants it,” Hiller stated. “There’s some gamers within the league that I believe he might pattern in direction of. I’m not going to inform you who they’re. 

“It’s early, and I just kind of have that in my mind. I don’t know where he’s going to go. He’s an exciting young player.”

OK, we’ll identify one: Brandon Hagel. 

That’s a excessive bar, to make sure, however the forwards are of comparable construct and temperament. And Cowan is taking significant steps as a two-way menace that may complement top-six gamers and examine laborious with the position gamers.

Hiller topped Cowan essentially the most noticeable skater after someday of camp and has already bumped him as much as John Tavares and William Nylander’s line for stretches in each video games this season.

The distinction from his rookie season?

“It’s night and day,” raves goalie Anthony Stolarz. “I imply, he’s enjoying with a number of confidence, and the defensive side of his sport is improved as effectively. He’s getting some PK time on the market, and I believe that’s simply the maturity and simply rising as a participant. 

“The best thing for him was going down to the American League and getting a taste of that playoff action and being able to play his game and dominate. He carried that confidence into the summer, and he’s playing a huge role on this team so far.”

Adds Sissons: “He was feeling it tonight. Just a dynamic player. He has the puck on his stick a lot and makes a lot of good plays. So, really blessed to be playing with him right now.”

Hiller envisions Cowan–Paul–Scissons as one thing greater than a conventional checking unit, as a trio that may additionally make performs and extend cycles and chip in on offence, too.

“Those three players can score goals,” Hiller famous. “Easton can really be the straw that stirs the drink from an offensive perspective and keep the other team’s best line honest.”

Bring it on. The Cowboy is using on a excessive, and he’s discovering momentum not simply from his previous however from his present teammates and a coach who appears to have an outlined position in thoughts.

“I think just this room. I mean, the vibes are great. Everyone’s positive and welcoming me and Gav, too, as a young guy. Everyone’s been great to us,” Cowan stated.

“Some young juice and some veterans, it goes a long way. So, it’s been good, and we just want to keep it going, keep having fun.”

Just how a lot enjoyable can this man, who has already received at junior and the AHL, have?

“Sky’s the limit with that kid,” Sissons stated. “He’s got all the potential in the world.”

• Matthew Schaefer, 2026’s unanimous Calder champ, is now carrying an ‘A’ for the Islanders. He solely turned 19 this month.

“I didn’t take that decision lightly, but he earned it,” coach Peter DeBoer advised reporters.

“What a privilege to coach a player like that. You know, he’s even better live and in person than he is on tape, and I watched a lot of tape of him last year while we were scouting for the Canadian Olympic team. But to actually stand behind the bench those last four games last year with him out there, he’s a real difference-making player. There’s very few of them in the world, and he’s one of them.”

DeBoer revealed that Schaefer was “really close” to creating that silver-medal squad as an 18-year-old.

“He was in our discussions right up until the last day. And, in hindsight, if we turned back the clock, (Josh) Morrissey got hurt the first game, he probably could have helped us.”

• Stolarz (.963) was excellent in his season debut and first actual sport motion in 175 days, a lot of which have been spent rehabbing.

Remember, Toronto traded away two of its high three goalies over the low season. 

“It’s a vote of confidence to me,” he stated. “You look at the turnover, and they want to keep me around. And for me, it’s exciting. I want to be here. I want to play here. And you want to win hockey games.”

• Newly anointed Islanders captain Horvat watched the overhauled Maple Leafs play Montreal Tuesday. His take: “A lot of high-end skill. Their transition game is really good.”

• The Leafs didn’t honour Matias Maccelli, who was not tendered a qualifying provide following 2025-26, with a Jumbotron acknowledgment. 

Maccelli settled for a pay minimize in free company, signing a one-year, $2.25-million take care of the Isles. He’s beginning the season on New York’s second line and first power-play unit, however Mathew Barzal is injured.

Perhaps the bar for return-game pomp is rising?

Tough evening territorially for the second line. While McKenna seemed extra relaxed and made sharp passes — loads of crisp, cross-seam pucks because the PP2 facilitator — his line, with Nylander and Tavares, was outshot 10-1 and out-attempted 19-3.