Ah, the candy exuberance of youth.
Whereas that now not describes Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander of their grizzled mid-20s, the Maple Leafs are getting their first take a look at the 2023 first-round choose Easton Cowan at this coaching camp and in Monday’s first exhibition sport specifically.
Whereas doubtless headed again to the London Knights in a couple of days, the centre impressed within the 4-3 additional time loss to the Ottawa Senators, with a aim, practically one other on a penalty shot and what a kinder official scorer may need awarded an help.
There was actually no hesitation to strive the strikes that made him a 74-point teen within the OHL final yr in 88 video games. Westerner Fraser Minten, the highest choose a yr in the past, carried out in related trend Sunday in Ottawa. Coach Sheldon Keefe rewarded Cowan with ice time late in Monday’s sport throughout a 6-on-5, for the ultimate 29 seconds, a 6-on-4 when Marner tied it and a piece of 3-on-3 further time.
“That is extra of what he confirmed us in (the rookie match) in Traverse Metropolis,” stated Sheldon Keefe stated, who added Cowan had earned an extended take a look at camp. “He put an exclamation level on it tonight. He was excellent. I attempted to speak myself out (utilizing him a lot on the finish) as a result of I’ve Matthews and Kampf and older guys. Nevertheless it was onerous to not. Each time he was on the ice he made one thing occur.”
There was no lack of effort from different Leafs of varied vintages on Monday, however unfamiliarity was evident of their second pre-season loss to a special Senators lineup in as many days.
After some detailed work with new assistant coach Man Boucher, the Leafs rolled out their revamped energy play with Matthews, Marner, free agent Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Robertson up entrance (the latter two standing in for the absent Nylander and John Tavares). Blueline quarterback John Klingberg made his first look, too, however there have been some inevitable bugs, reminiscent of Klingberg caught pinching low when Marner threw one in every of his surprising passes throughout the highest. Klingberg and Bertuzzi assisted on Marner’s tying marker.
It was Cowan and the No. 2 unit scoring first with the additional man — after his earlier penalty shot. Enjoying on a daily line with fellow rookie Ryan Tverberg and Marlie senior Joseph Blandisi, Cowan drew the freebie on a breakaway. However he took the lengthy strategy to Ottawa goalie Mads Sogaard who tracked him simply with a pad save.
Cowan discovered redemption when finishing a set of fast passes from Nick Abruzzese and Noah Gregor on the second man benefit unit, beating Sogaard low from the slot with a one-timer. It was simply as essential some extent for Gregor, who’s on an expert tryout contract after the San Jose Sharks didn’t qualify him.
Cowan appeared to help on a Blandisi aim to make it 3-2 after the Senators prime gamers on this flying go to, Vladimir Tarasenko, Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun, connected on one in every of their energy performs.
“I had a little bit of nerves on the penalty shot, the constructing was going loopy, Cowan stated.
“It feels good to put on the jersey I had on on the draft. It’s good they belief me, I’ve confidence in my sport. Glad we tied it up, I want we might have received.
“In warmup, I noticed all of the (followers’ do-it-yourself) indicators and knew my household and associates have been there.”
Starter Joseph Woll, who completed so sturdy in his rookie yr, didn’t get numerous first-period assist. David Kampf received a defensive draw solely to have prospect Topi Niemela throw it softly up the center the place one other Finn, Roby Jarventie, finally transformed. Dominik Kubalik scored on a display after the Sens trapped the Leafs and acquired visitors to distract Woll. Chychrun’s aim caught the within of the submit, however Woll stopped Mathieu Joseph on a breakaway earlier than the primary interval concluded.
He additionally held the fort the primary 10 minutes of the center interval, with Martin Jones relieving him after 19 saves. Strolling proper right into a full Ottawa energy play when Marshall Rifai acquired too aggressive in a crease scrum, Jones made an early save with one other off his submit in a robust outing.
Jones doubtless has the hardest battle of the three goalies at camp, needing to benefit from restricted enjoying time to indicate he’s the higher different to sophomore Woll behind Ilya Samsonov.
“Feeling settled on the rink makes a giant distinction,” Jones stated Monday morning. “Coming to a brand new metropolis and new crew, I simply must really feel comfy and when you get on the ice, that half is fairly acquainted.
“It is a nice constructing. I’ve been round a short while and performed in all of them a bit.”
At 5-on-5 with Jake McCabe as his projected common season associate, Klingberg confirmed some inventive spark as marketed and regarded poised when breakdowns loomed. He had 5 photographs on aim via 40 minutes, McCabe 4 hits.
An introduced crowd of 14,296 was at Scotiabank Area. The Leafs have Tuesday off, then shall be in St. Thomas, Ont., Wednesday for the Kraft Hockeyville sport towards Buffalo. Captain Tavares will doubtless see his first motion.