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When Craig Berube said Easton Cowan “needs a reset” and would sit out Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, it raised eyebrows—but perhaps not for the reason most think. As Nick Kypreos noted on The Kyper and Bourne Show, the situation might be less about Cowan himself and more about the chaos swirling around the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kypreos floated the idea that sending Cowan down to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies could be the best thing for his development right now. His suggestion was to ‘go play minutes and get out of the identity crisis environment that’s going on around the Leafs’. It’s a fair point because the Leafs, at the moment, look like a team still trying to figure out how to communicate as teammates and what brand of hockey they’re supposed to play. Between Anthony Stolarz publicly challenging his teammates’ effort and, as Kypreos contended, indirectly the coaching, Toronto’s room doesn’t exactly look like a steady place for a 19-year-old rookie to find his footing. Cowan, who impressed in training camp and even grabbed his first NHL point earlier this month, has handled every challenge with poise. But asking him to grow in a lineup that’s still searching for its own identity could risk slowing his progress—or worse, eroding his confidence. Would Easton Cowan Be Better Off In The AHL? Berube’s decision to give Cowan a night off might be as much about shielding him from the noise as it is about teaching him through observation. “He needs a reset, get a game to watch. It’s always good for young guys to watch a game at some point. But Cowan’s in a good spot,” said Berube. Is he, though? Is Cowan really in the best spot by staying with the Maple Leafs? If he’s playing big minutes and helping the team work through their issues, that’s one thing. If he’s sitting or seeing his opportunities limited while the team goes through a current down of any ups and downs this season, maybe with the Leafs isn’t where he should be. Watching from the press box allows a young player to study pace, systems, and tendencies without the chaos of live mistakes. Still, extended stretches in a turbulent environment can make even a confident prospect second-guess himself. For Cowan, the AHL might offer something the NHL currently cannot—clarity. More minutes, more puck touches, and less noise. If the Maple Leafs are indeed caught in an identity crisis, then pulling Cowan out of the storm for a bit might be the smartest move they can make.
