Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn (left), Dan Hamilton-Imagn (right)
Some new stats reveal that Brad Marchand may be at the top of the league when it comes to pressuring opponents, but right behind him is rookie Easton Cowan.
While he may be considered one of the more agitating presences in the NHL, Brad Marchand has carved out a near Hall of Fame legacy, culminating in two Stanley Cups, over 1,000 points, and several medals while representing Canada internationally.
Even in his age-37 season, Marchand is still putting in a lot of work and has been the league’s top forechecker when it comes to pressuring opponents and finding the puck after a dump-in, and that bulldog mentality is bringing him success even if the team isn’t finding much themselves.
Brad Marchand’s got company when it comes to bulldog mentality
But there’s another player nipping at his heels, and it happens to be a rookie of all people: Toronto’s Easton Cowan.
Cowan has been tenacious all year, and while he isn’t scoring at the pace some fans might want from the rookie, his grittiness and hard work is paying off for Toronto overall.
But it’s also what he’s doing off the puck too, where he’s surprisingly savvy at drawing penalties due to always being in the mix and fighting for pucks; he frustrates opponents enough to get calls his way; a massive boost to Toronto’s power play hopes.
Toronto’s Easton Cowan showing exactly why the team drafted him
In 21 games, Cowan has nine points (3 goals, 6 assists), a plus-two, 11 blocks, and 23 hits in 15:03 TOI.
But we’re starting to understand that Cowan is more than just a one-trick pony and though he was outstanding offensively in junior, he brings such a well-rounded and complete game even at 20 years old.
With tons of room to grow, it seems like he’s earning more trust each game and when Craig Berube is in a pinch, often times he’ll throw Cowan out to try and spark the team, or try and cause a bit of havoc for the opposition.
The offense is going to pick up, and the more comfortable Cowan gets, the more consistent the scoring will be. But right now he’s adding a lot more than Toronto expected, and to be neck and neck with Marchand in ruthlessness is nothing short of impressive.
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Only Brad Marchand ranks ahead of Easton Cowan in a key stat
Will Easton Cowan turn into Toronto’s version of Brad Marchand?
