Not great injury news for the Toronto Maple Leafs today before game time, nor much relief for fans hoping for a lineup change.
Berube confirms Easton Cowan will sit, Stolarz remains out
Craig Berube doesn’t like to share too much when it comes to injuries, and that hasn’t changed. The update on Anthony Stolarz was short and not encouraging. ‘Indefinite’ was the word. In hockey speak, that usually means one thing: he’s not close. Whatever’s going on, Stolarz won’t be back anytime soon, and the team is still operating without a clear picture of when that might change.
That alone would be enough to sour the mood a bit. Add in Easton Cowan’s decision, and that’s not good news for many in Leafs Nation.
Many Maple Leafs fans want to see Cowan play more
There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Cowan, especially given the way the team has looked at times. He makes mistakes, but he works hard. That kind of energy is attractive to many who believe some patrons tap into it.
Some fans hoped this would be the moment he could finally look again. Instead, Berube confirmed that Cowan will play for the third straight season.
The reasoning was simple. The Maple Leafs won their last gameand Berube doesn’t want to tinker. Coaches have always been superstitious in that regard. If you win, keep the lineup the same. It’s the hockey equivalent of wearing the same suit again, even if the winning streak is currently very impressive.
Berube reports that Maple Leafs fans are being patient about Cowan
To Berube’s credit, he at least acknowledged the balance he’s trying to achieve. He said Cowan needs patience. He noted that sitting for too long is not conducive to a young player’s development. And as Cowan sits back down, Cowan believes he’s helping the team. That probably applies in every respect. It just doesn’t make the decision any easier if you want to see what the child can do.
So that’s where things are. Stolarz stays out with no timeline, Cowan stays in the press box and Berube sticks with what worked last time. For some fans, that will feel cautious. For others it feels a bit too cocky.
Either way, it’s not exactly the kind of update that brightens up the room.
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