Maple Leafs Easton Cowan's Making Himself Difficult to

There’s something I like about watching Easton Cowan play right now. He isn’t waiting for somebody to tell him he belongs in a bigger role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s going out and making a pretty good argument for himself, one shift at a time.

Cowan brings a 200-foot game to his second season with the Maple Leafs.

What stands out isn't just the skill. Cowan works. He gets in on the forecheck, pressures defencemen, gets his stick into passing lanes, and makes himself a nuisance for the opposition. Those things don't always show up on the scoresheet, but coaches notice them. And when a young player combines that kind of effort with the ability to make something happen with the puck, people start paying attention.

That’s how opportunities can open up in the NHL. A coach might have a plan for where a young player fits in the lineup, but those plans aren't written in stone. If a player keeps doing the right things, it's hard to ignore him. Cowan seems to understand that. He's not simply trying to look good. He's making himself useful, and there's a difference.

Cowan is earning his time in the Maple Leafs’ top-six units.

Another part of this is worth watching. When a young player starts pushing his way up the lineup, it can change things for everybody else. Established players know they have to keep earning their opportunities, too. Nobody should lose sight of the fact that Cowan is still developing, and a few good games don't mean every night will go his way. There will be bumps along the road. That's part of the process.

But the Maple Leafs need players who understand that earning a place in the lineup involves more than having a good set of hands. It means competing, paying attention to the details, and giving the coach a reason to trust you when the game gets tight.

I think that's what makes Cowan's progress interesting. He's giving the Maple Leafs something to think about without needing a big speech. His work is doing the talking.

Cowan has shown that he’s ready for prime time.

And isn't that the way you'd like a young player to earn his opportunity? Don't hand him a bigger role just because he's a promising prospect. Let him show you he's ready.

Easton Cowan seems determined to make that decision a little harder for the Maple Leafs to put off. And for a team trying to build something better, that's a pretty good problem to have.