What Cowan and Marchenko Have Shown Maple Leafs Fans So Far

One of the interesting things about watching a new Maple Leafs season unfold is seeing what different players bring to the table. Sometimes it's a big goal or a multi-point night. Other times, it's the little things that tell us a player might be finding his game.

Easton Cowan and Kirill Marchenko have given us a couple of different stories to follow early this season. One has shown encouraging signs of growth, while the other has looked a little more consistent. Neither story is finished, of course, but there's enough here to get our attention.

Cowan Is Giving Fans Reasons to Be Encouraged.

Cowan has had some lively performances against the Islanders, Vegas, and Colorado. There have been quieter nights, too, including the game against Ottawa. That's going to happen with a young player still figuring things out at the NHL level.

What I like is that Cowan has shown he can make an impact. Young players don't always put everything together right away. One night, they look comfortable and confident; the next, the game moves a little too quickly. The important thing is whether they keep learning and finding ways to contribute.

So far, Cowan has given Maple Leafs fans reason to be optimistic. I'd like to see where this goes as he gets more games under his belt and becomes more comfortable with the NHL’s pace and demands.

Marchenko Is Showing a Different Kind of Value.

Marchenko's early performances have been a little less dramatic, but there's something to be said for showing up consistently. His recent app scores have generally stayed in a similar range, with a particularly strong showing against Ottawa.

That doesn't necessarily mean he's playing better than Cowan, or that Cowan is the more valuable player. These app scores aren't goals, assists, or a complete measure of a player's contribution. Still, they offer one way to see how their performances have varied from game to game.

Marchenko appears to be settling into a steadier rhythm. For a team looking for offence beyond its biggest names, that's encouraging.

Two Maple Leafs Players, Two Different Stories.

Right now, Cowan looks like the player building a little momentum, while Marchenko looks like the steadier performer. I wouldn't make too much of a handful of games, but both have given us something to watch.

The Maple Leafs know not every player develops the same way. Sometimes a young player takes a few steps forward and a few steps back. Sometimes a more established player quietly gets on with the job.

If Cowan keeps building on his better performances and Marchenko continues to provide a dependable presence, Toronto could benefit from both. It's early, but that's a pretty good place to start.