I have watched every game and he has played much better against me than he did with boys. I agree with his junior coach, junior would be a waste. Probelm is he would probably play down to their level as he did in the rookie camp. He can't go to the A so I think management will for sure give him the 9 games and I have a feeling he could be sticking, whether he is a scratch half the time or not.
I have been really impressed with his exhibition games whereas the rookie tournament he looked tentatve. He looked scared to unleash his size whereas with the men he is really going full tilt....me likey.
Kadri played a game last year as an emergency callup for injury, there is that loophole.
If they think they might have to scratch him half the time, they'll send him back to junior. I still think he'll stick based on what management has been saying all along, and based on his progression thus far and an expectation that he will continue to progress whether it be slowly or quickly. I wouldnt mind seeing him dominate junior and see if there's anymore offence to be untapped, but I expect he'll stick here when it's all said and done.
If they think they might have to scratch him half the time, they'll send him back to junior. I still think he'll stick based on what management has been saying all along, and based on his progression thus far and an expectation that he will continue to progress whether it be slowly or quickly. I wouldnt mind seeing him dominate junior and see if there's anymore offence to be untapped, but I expect he'll stick here when it's all said and done.
Pretty much this. Excellent post and I compltely agree.
If Cowan plays 9 games and gets sent back to junior, it will be the end of October. He plays in Spokane probably missing their first 15 games or so. Then, I'm not sure how many games he misses in total for the World Juniors, but I imagine its two or three weeks worth. And if Spokane is a sub par team this year as someone stated, they will be eliminated or miss completely the western playoffs, making him eligible for a call up to Ottawa if he's needed. I don't think he has time to stagnate in juniors, and a more positive experience with the Worlds won't hurt him any.
From what I've seen of him this year, I think he can play the role of a stay at home defenseman in the NHL this year. But I wouldn't want to see him abandon making rushes for fear of making mistake, and not getting any PP time his first year.
If Cowan plays 9 games and gets sent back to junior, it will be the end of October. He plays in Spokane probably missing their first 15 games or so. Then, I'm not sure how many games he misses in total for the World Juniors, but I imagine its two or three weeks worth. And if Spokane is a sub par team this year as someone stated, they will be eliminated or miss completely the western playoffs, making him eligible for a call up to Ottawa if he's needed. I don't think he has time to stagnate in juniors, and a more positive experience with the Worlds won't hurt him any.
From what I've seen of him this year, I think he can play the role of a stay at home defenseman in the NHL this year. But I wouldn't want to see him abandon making rushes for fear of making mistake, and not getting any PP time his first year.
If Cowen goes back to junior, he likely goes back for a quick audition infront of the WHL contenders, leaves for WJC, makes up for last year, gets traded to a contender over the holidays, looks for Mem Cup.
If I could see into the future and see that Cowen would A) Get significant PP time (aside from WJC) B) Traded to a contender C) Proves people wrong at WJC D) Appears in Mem Cup
I'd want him to go do that, no doubt. But that's the perfect year for your 19 year old Dman prospect that has missed a year in junior already. Pietrangelo and Myers both had similar types of years going to back to junior.
This situation in the NHL isn't necessarily a bad thing for him either. It would be one thing if this was the Leafs with the state that they're in right now, but Cowen has the luxury of being surrounded by Phillips, Gonchar, Alfredsson, Fisher, and Spezza.
In his role he's not being counted on to be the go-to guy, but he's not going to be completely buried by our depth. He also has the added benefit of having Clouston who runs a finely regimented Defensive system, and has no problem playing young players if they perform.
Unless there's something of huge benefit to learn in Juniors, he could just as easily develop his skills and gain some valuable experience from some of the players on the roster. He's not physically unprepared for the NHL or going to be crushed with expectations, so I'd say playing him this year isn't going to ruin his development in any way.
This situation in the NHL isn't necessarily a bad thing for him either. It would be one thing if this was the Leafs with the state that they're in right now, but Cowen has the luxury of being surrounded by Phillips, Gonchar, Alfredsson, Fisher, and Spezza.
In his role he's not being counted on to be the go-to guy, but he's not going to be completely buried by our depth. He also has the added benefit of having Clouston who runs a finely regimented Defensive system, and has no problem playing young players if they perform.
Unless there's something of huge benefit to learn in Juniors, he could just as easily develop his skills and gain some valuable experience from some of the players on the roster. He's not physically unprepared for the NHL or going to be crushed with expectations, so I'd say playing him this year isn't going to ruin his development in any way.
The only reason I'd want him to go back is to have a greater responsibility as a puck carrier, PP point man, stuff like that. You can develop those skills over time in the NHL, but it might make it easier doing so in an environment where the rest of the game is easy for him.
If a professional scout told me it's not going to make a difference, than ya keep him up at this point, currently he's showing he belongs. As long as he keeps it up he's gold. The fact of the matter is, it has done wonders for some prospects to go back and do another year.
This situation in the NHL isn't necessarily a bad thing for him either. It would be one thing if this was the Leafs with the state that they're in right now, but Cowen has the luxury of being surrounded by Phillips, Gonchar, Alfredsson, Fisher, and Spezza.
In his role he's not being counted on to be the go-to guy, but he's not going to be completely buried by our depth. He also has the added benefit of having Clouston who runs a finely regimented Defensive system, and has no problem playing young players if they perform.
Unless there's something of huge benefit to learn in Juniors, he could just as easily develop his skills and gain some valuable experience from some of the players on the roster. He's not physically unprepared for the NHL or going to be crushed with expectations, so I'd say playing him this year isn't going to ruin his development in any way.
The only reason I'd want him to go back is to have a greater responsibility as a puck carrier, PP point man, stuff like that. You can develop those skills over time in the NHL, but it might make it easier doing so in an environment where the rest of the game is easy for him.
If a professional scout told me it's not going to make a difference, than ya keep him up at this point, currently he's showing he belongs. As long as he keeps it up he's gold. The fact of the matter is, it has done wonders for some prospects to go back and do another year, even if their ready for bottom line NHL duty.
If Cowen goes back to junior, he likely goes back for a quick audition infront of the WHL contenders, leaves for WJC, makes up for last year, gets traded to a contender over the holidays, looks for Mem Cup.
If I could see into the future and see that Cowen would A) Get significant PP time (aside from WJC) B) Traded to a contender C) Proves people wrong at WJC D) Appears in Mem Cup
I'd want him to go do that, no doubt. But that's the perfect year for your 19 year old Dman prospect that has missed a year in junior already. Pietrangelo and Myers both had similar types of years going to back to junior.
It's been brought up a few times, but I really need to underline the fact that going down to the OHL, at the same level as he's played for the past 3 years, doesn't seem like the best way for him to progress.
It's too bad the rule for the AHL is what it is, but it seems apparent that we'll at least give him the 9 game trial.
I guess, but I mean, it's not like he hasn't had "that experience".
Hell, if he hadn't blown out his knee, on a very strong team he may have had another.
It's not really about having the experience. There's also something to gain from having the experience as one of the marquee players in the tournament, as a leader. Regardless, this is far from the main reason I'd want him to go back.
It's been brought up a few times, but I really need to underline the fact that going down to the OHL, at the same level as he's played for the past 3 years, doesn't seem like the best way for him to progress.
It's too bad the rule for the AHL is what it is, but it seems apparent that we'll at least give him the 9 game trial.
Past two years, he pretty well missed one full season and last season he wasn't playing at full strength. Regardless, the fact remains it did do very good things for recent top prospects like Tyler Myers and Alex Pietrangelo.
Some people also think it did good things for Dmen like Phaneuf, Seabrook, Coburn, Weber when they had to stick in junior due to the lockout. That one's up for debate though.
I think he'll stick, but to think his progression would hit a stale mate in junior is almost certainly wrong. He'd have an easier time becoming an all around defencemen with another year in junior than he would trying to become that in the NHL.
His defensive game would probably improve with the greater challenges in the NHL, but I don't think we're ever gonna see him lose his defensive ability even if he spent 2 more years in junior (I know that's not possible), so a delay on him developing into an elite defender isn't a concern. His offensive game however would wreak greater benefits in a league he has NOT YET CONQUERED OFFENSIVELY.
Regardless I think he'll stick, and I think he can still become a very good toppairing Dman down the road. I think we allow his ultimate potential to rise if we take a slower pace, but by how much I have no idea...
I think it's pretty evident that he's ready for the NHL. Problem is, even with the injury to Kuba, there's no room for him with Lee playing so well.
Do we keep him as a 7th D-man? Because we're not scratching Campoli or Carkner or Lee for him (I would bet money on that), or do we send him down to junior and hope he carries a chip on his shoulder?
Stupid rule about him not playing in the AHL, obviously, that's optimum for all parties.
Hopefully someone can help me out here, but I keep seeing Brian Burke say if Kadri doesn't perform well, he'll be sent to the Marlies, but Cowen will be sent back to Junior if he is cut. How can this be the case? Does it have something to with their DOB's? They were drafted the same year. I don't get the logic or rules here.
Hopefully someone can help me out here, but I keep seeing Brian Burke say if Kadri doesn't perform well, he'll be sent to the Marlies, but Cowen will be sent back to Junior if he is cut. How can this be the case? Does it have something to with their DOB's? They were drafted the same year. I don't get the logic or rules here.
DOBs it is. Not sure what the specific ruling is. Cowen remains junior eligible and Kadri does not, despite being drafted in the same year. Similar to how Silfverberg and Lehner we're both drafted in the same 2nd round but Silfverberg was only eligible for the WJC last year and Lehner remains eligible.
Another thing to consider is with the wealth of young defensemen, it might be a good idea to acclimatize them to the NHL one at a time. I could see Runblad and Wiercioch both being able to make the NHL next year so if Cowen does indeed go back to Junior, you could have as many as 2-3 rookie defensemen on the team next year. Something I'm sure management would like to avoid if theyd like to be perennial playoff/Stanley cup contenders.
Hopefully someone can help me out here, but I keep seeing Brian Burke say if Kadri doesn't perform well, he'll be sent to the Marlies, but Cowen will be sent back to Junior if he is cut. How can this be the case? Does it have something to with their DOB's? They were drafted the same year. I don't get the logic or rules here.
I believe it was discussed before, but the CHL rules go by Date of Birth, along with the number of seasons played. Cowen didn't finish his year when he was drafted, so he needs 1 more season to get past the eligibility thing.
