Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
While Craig Berube figures out his lineup when his injured players eventually return, rookies Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan are making his decisions much harder.
There are two players however who have come in to make a difference, and are earning the right to keep their spot in the lineup — Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan.
What Cowan and Quillan are actually bringing to the Leafs’ lineup
There’s a good reason why both were recalled, as Cowan already had some moderate success at the NHL level this season with four points, and Quillan was on fire in the American Hockey League with 14 points in 14 games.
On Tuesday night, both players saw meaningful ice time, with Cowan getting the lion’s share. Quillan had four hits and was a spark plug all night, never giving up on plays and making life harder for the Blues.
While Cowan didn’t register a point he did have two shots, and with a lack of a supporting cast beside him (he’s been attached to Max Domi) the offense has been a little quiet.
But with ample chances to play given the team’s current injury status, Cowan and Quillan both have a chance to solidify their spot in the lineup further, and that means that a couple players need to sit.
Who should lose ice time if the rookies stay in the lineup
This isn’t a report about internal talks in the organization, it’s a look at which forwards we think should lose ice time if Cowan and Quillan keep playing this way.
With Scott Laughton expected back soon, that eats up a prime spot down the middle, that eats up a prime spot down the middle, but with how lacklustre Domi’s production and defense has been, using Quillan in place of him would be an upgrade.The team could run with a quartet of John Tavares, Laughton, Quillan, and Steven Lorentz down the middle and be able to handle whatever Columbus throws at them, meanwhile Cowan can help in the top-six — preferably beside Laughton who he gelled with during the preseason.
Right now, guys like Joshua and Maccelli need to sit as they have a combined 11-game pointless streak and aren’t moving the needle like the team envisioned when they acquired them this past offseason.
Domi is the player who might need the break the most, with only six points in 20 games and playing below average defense, the team is feels worse with him than without.
Quillan already looks like he could grow into a legitimate 3C down the line and with his mix of grit, physicality, size, and attitude — he’s the perfect Berube type. Cowan is Toronto’s prized rookie, and he’s going to be a focal point for years to come.
It’s best for the Leafs to get a head start on their development and let them take minutes from players who haven’t produced. It’s already been a season of change — this might be the next logical step.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
