"Now, I'd like to make a pause here. Easton Cowan is an intriguing prospect with top-six potential. So, why would the Maple Leafs line him up on the fourth line? The answer lies in the chemistry with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz. Both Laughton and Lorentz are talented grinders who don't play a flashy game. They rarely mess up and are as defensively responsible as they come."
"That's the sort of environment a high-end rookie like Cowan needs. Starting Cowan on the fourth line in a sheltered role isn't the worst idea in the world. If anything, it could be a good way to get him into the lineup without slamming unwarranted expectations on him. If the Leafs don't rush Cowan into a top-six role too soon, he should get there soon. The club will just need to be patient with him."
The Maple Leafs confront several difficult roster decisions entering the final phase of training camp, with the bottom six the toughest area to finalize. David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, and Nick Robertson could be squeezed off the Opening Night roster amid a thin trade market. Newcomers Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua have displaced Kampf and Robertson. Easton Cowan has earned a lineup spot and is being sheltered on the fourth line alongside Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz to foster chemistry and defensive responsibility. Matias Maccelli has been placed in the bottom six due to inconsistency concerns, while Max Domi remains the preferred partner for Auston Matthews.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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