Easton Cowan and Sam Dickinson look forward to the clash between ex-London Knights teammates

Both players have been extended in their first taste of NHL action, with Cowan scoring nine points in 21 games with the Maple Leafs, and Dickinson recording a goal and two points in 24 games so far. Cowan spoke to reporters during the morning skate and talked about his excitement to compete against an old friend.

“It’s going to be cool. He’s obviously a good player, I’ve known him for a while,” Cowan said of his former teammate. “It’s hard to compete against him in training, so it will be a challenge tonight, but it will be a lot of fun to play against him.”

Cowan was then asked who typically showed off after fights in practice, and he kept things honest.

“Probably him, to be honest,” Cowan said, smiling. “I mean, he’s really good defensively, and if he plays well defensively, he’ll probably step up. He’s got really good hockey sense.”

Dickinson shared similar sentiments, although he also admitted that in practice he had a right to brag to Cowan.

“I’ve never played against him before, so I’m looking forward to it. I guess I’d say I know all his moves if he tries to do something to me. We’ll see what happens unless he’s learned something,” Dickinson said.

Leading the Sharks is 2024 first-round pick Macklin Celebrini, who has taken an astronomical step forward in his second NHL season and is currently third in the league with 43 points in 31 games. Cowan had the opportunity to skate with Celebrini at the 2024 World Juniors and spoke about the challenge that awaits him and the Leafs.

“Another very good player, very good offensively and also good defensively,” Cowan said. “We have to play him hard and try to limit his chances.”

Cowan will skate on par with John Tavares and Nick Robertson as the team experiments with a spread look following Bobby McMann’s one-game suspension. So far in 2025-26, he has done everything asked of him when called upon and more, making it challenging for the Leafs to consider sending him to the AHL.

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