Cowan’s situation is a little more unique, but like Maccelli, Cowan doesn’t appear on the scoresheet much. Nor Max Domi, Bobby McMann, Calle Jarnkrok, Dakota Joshua or Nicolas Roy. There is no shortage of Leafs making their case to the press and now with the return of Scott Laughton, expectations for performances are increasing.
Scott Laughton could also find himself in Craig Berube’s crosshairs soon enough and he didn’t make a case for being on the roster last season, but now he’ll get a chance to catch up.
Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Robertson-Tavares-McMann
Joshua-Roy-Maccelli
Lorentz-Laughton-Domi
Extras: Cowan-Blais-Jarnkrok
Laughton’s return has at least temporarily put a pause on Easton Cowan’s time in the NHL. With Laughton’s return, the Leafs have too many players and that would either mean waivers for Blais or a development window for Cowan. Cowan’s assignment was the most likely course of action, but potentially the most short-sighted option, as Cowan did not appear out of place and has made an effort to improve compared to the rest of the group.
What’s a bit more of an issue is that currently Calle Jarnkrok, Easton Cowan and Nick Robertson are the players that Craig Berube is comfortable with in and out of the lineup. That will have to be expanded to include the fact that Robertson is in trouble and Cowan is likely to be temporarily demoted. Sammy Blais and Calle Jarnkrok have arguably played better than other experienced players and should not be fixtures in the press. Maccelli is also not the only player who needs to light a fire under him.
Max Domi’s two-goal game against Calgary likely bought him some time, as did the fact that Craig Berube is still trying to see what he has with Domi as a winger. Bobby McMann’s production is at a standstill and is not a favorite of Craig Berube. It is very likely that he will be a player that Berube feels comfortable with on a regular basis.
The toughest for Craig Berube will be the additions of Brad Treliving to the lineup. As mentioned above, Maccelli has been given the night off, and Laughton will likely get a longer run of games now that he’s back unless he doesn’t look like he’s close to 100%.
The arrival of Nicolas Roy hasn’t translated much more than David Kampf by another name and the same can be said for Dakota Joshua doing a Nick Ritchie impression, albeit perhaps a more disciplined version of him.
These players have currently completed a full training camp and played 13 games in a Leafs uniform. If they’re not performing, there’s no reason not to let them know at this point.
An 82-game season will have no shortage of injuries, and if all healthy players are needed in the lineup, it’s harder to send a message to underperforming players. Laughton’s return provides the Leafs with an opportunity to keep the Leafs at a higher level and make it clear that everyone is competing for a spot in the lineup every night.
#return #Scott #Laughton #equals #responsibility #Maple #Leafs