Overview
- Cowan had a three-point game including his first NHL shorthanded goal in the Maple Leafs' 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
- The 21-year-old has four goals and 10 points through 11 games, a scoring rate that has pushed him into consistent top-six minutes.
- Head coach Jim Hiller said Cowan has “exceeded my expectations” and confirmed Cowan is now used as a regular penalty killer.
- Cowan’s rise has made it hard for Toronto to drop him from the top six when John Tavares returns and has reduced talk of including him in major trade discussions.
- Cowan was a late first-round pick in 2023 who developed in the AHL and Marlies’ Calder Cup run, a background sources say helps explain his readiness and growing trust from coaches.