Easton Cowan names Lightning’s Brandon Hagel as a player he wants to model his game after
One of the few bright spots from the campaign was the development of rookie forward Easton Cowan. The 2023 first-round draft pick appeared in 66 games, recording 11 goals and 18 assists, including nine points over his final 15 contests as Cowan continued to receive more opportunities and gain comfort at the NHL level.
Upon completion of the Maple Leafs’ regular season, Cowan was sent down to the American Hockey League to join the Toronto Marlies on their quest for a Calder Cup. Cowan appeared in four games down the stretch with the Marlies, posting one goal and two assists, the 20-year-old’s first career AHL goal.
The Marlies took down the Rochester Americans in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, winning the best-of-3 series two games to one. Over the course of the three games, Cowan picked up two assists, including one on Logan Shaw’s game-winning goal in Game 3.
The win pushed the Marlies into the North Division Semifinals, best 3-of-5 against the Laval Rocket. Following Tuesday’s practice, Cowan spoke about how he felt he played in what is his first taste of playoff hockey at the professional level.
“I can be better, I know that,” Cowan said, speaking to the media after Tuesday’s skate. “I can be more physical in ways and obviously make better plays and be smarter with the puck, so I’ll do that starting tomorrow.”
One player who has become a household name over the course of recent seasons has been Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel. Hagel has posted at least 60 points in each of his four full seasons with the Lightning and has been a part of the past two Canadian Men’s teams at both the Four Nations and Olympic Games.
Hagel has been a force through the Lightning’s opening five games during their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens. Through the five games, the 27-year-old has recorded a playoff-leading six goals and one assist, making an impact in every facet of the game. Cowan was asked how he could use Hagel as a role model, as someone to try to pattern his game after.
“I was saying earlier in the year, that’s a guy you try to play like. He’s a rat, but he plays hard, and he can make plays all over the ice,” Cowan said. “He’s being used in every situation, and he’s capitalizing on his chances. He’s very fun to watch for sure. I’ve watched mostly every game [in the playoffs], he’s been unreal, playing hard and helping their team win. You look at guys like that, and you want to be a difference maker like that eventually.”
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