It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t stay up for at least a 9-game show, but the team isn’t in a place where developing players at the NHL level makes sense. He wasn’t good enough to take a spot, so now it’s up to him to take the cut like a pro, play his ass off with London, and be a leader at the WJC. Come back next year and take that spot!
Jaymesned
As a Knights fan I’m ecstatic, but as Leaf fan for his progression and development I wish he could play for the Marlies.
brobourne
London is potentially going to be an even better team this year. Likely will add Musty.
I have to admit, I was convinced Cowan was going to make the team, but our team is far too packed (I.e. we’re sitting McMann). All we can hope for is that he dominates Junior and leads the WJC team this year. Canada’s team is shaping up to be one of those ultra-special teams.
Phillydip123
I could see him cooking for a year and then popping up close to the post-season for his 9 games, a la Nick Robertson
DougFordsGamblingAds
See you space cowboy.
chobros
Not ready for NHL
Sammydaws97
Everyone thinking he cant possibly develop further with the Knights has missed the last 24 years in London.
The Hunters routinely take high end NHL caliber players and make them better. They allow players to grow offensively while keeping them defensively responsible (unlike many Jr teams who abandon defence to foster offensive growth)
Corey Perry had 102 points in 64gp. He went back for another year with the Knights and put up 130 points in 60gp.
Christian Dvorak had 109 points in 66 gp. He went back and put up 121 points in 59 gp the next year.
Max Domi put up 87 in 64 and then 93 in 61. Still went back and put up 102 in 57.
What do all these guys have in common other than being Ex-Knights? They all went back to winning cultures and have OHL championships and memorial cups to show for it.
Cowan can explode this year offensively, play a crucial role for Team Canada at the world jrs, make a OHL/memorial cup push to end the season and still maybe join the Marlies for a late Calder cup run! Not a bad path imo.
JRocleafs
I’m really not sure why the NHL, NHLPA and CHL came to this outrageous agreement regarding the age cut off and having no amendments to it.
1. It doesn’t help player development, in fact it hinders it.
2. It hurts the AHL in every way possible, from talent level to gate revenue.
baylaust
Hate to see it, but it’s the right choice. I’m not sure how much he has left to prove in the OHL, but this preseason showed that he does still have a lot to learn before earning an NHL spot.
james-HIMself
How can there not be a prevision for talent that exceeds the OHL skill ceiling? Maybe he’s not NHL calibre yet, but the AHL would be best for him.
AdamLakewood87
I’d like to see Cowan and Danford at the World Juniors for Canada
macam85
Good. Keep him away from this mess.
AllOfTheAbove100
Honestly this will be better for him in the long run instead of forcing him to fill a role on the team he may not be ready for (bottom six).
Let him dominate the OHL this year, carry Canada in the World Juniors, and win the Memorial Cup.
Hoardzunit
He started out strong but it was always an uphill battle for him. But then he kind of started regressing. He’s going to tear it up in the OHL this year.
xtzferocity
This is purely speculation, but I wonder if CHL players win their case against the NCAA that players like Cowan play their post draft year in the NCAA to then be eligible for the AHL at 19.
Redneckshinobi
I mean this isn’t terrible news, I think most people had it playing out this way no?
17 Comments
One more year to cook and he’ll be ready
It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t stay up for at least a 9-game show, but the team isn’t in a place where developing players at the NHL level makes sense. He wasn’t good enough to take a spot, so now it’s up to him to take the cut like a pro, play his ass off with London, and be a leader at the WJC. Come back next year and take that spot!
As a Knights fan I’m ecstatic, but as Leaf fan for his progression and development I wish he could play for the Marlies.
London is potentially going to be an even better team this year. Likely will add Musty.
I have to admit, I was convinced Cowan was going to make the team, but our team is far too packed (I.e. we’re sitting McMann). All we can hope for is that he dominates Junior and leads the WJC team this year. Canada’s team is shaping up to be one of those ultra-special teams.
I could see him cooking for a year and then popping up close to the post-season for his 9 games, a la Nick Robertson
See you space cowboy.
Not ready for NHL
Everyone thinking he cant possibly develop further with the Knights has missed the last 24 years in London.
The Hunters routinely take high end NHL caliber players and make them better. They allow players to grow offensively while keeping them defensively responsible (unlike many Jr teams who abandon defence to foster offensive growth)
Corey Perry had 102 points in 64gp. He went back for another year with the Knights and put up 130 points in 60gp.
Christian Dvorak had 109 points in 66 gp. He went back and put up 121 points in 59 gp the next year.
Max Domi put up 87 in 64 and then 93 in 61. Still went back and put up 102 in 57.
What do all these guys have in common other than being Ex-Knights? They all went back to winning cultures and have OHL championships and memorial cups to show for it.
Cowan can explode this year offensively, play a crucial role for Team Canada at the world jrs, make a OHL/memorial cup push to end the season and still maybe join the Marlies for a late Calder cup run! Not a bad path imo.
I’m really not sure why the NHL, NHLPA and CHL came to this outrageous agreement regarding the age cut off and having no amendments to it.
1. It doesn’t help player development, in fact it hinders it.
2. It hurts the AHL in every way possible, from talent level to gate revenue.
Hate to see it, but it’s the right choice. I’m not sure how much he has left to prove in the OHL, but this preseason showed that he does still have a lot to learn before earning an NHL spot.
How can there not be a prevision for talent that exceeds the OHL skill ceiling? Maybe he’s not NHL calibre yet, but the AHL would be best for him.
I’d like to see Cowan and Danford at the World Juniors for Canada
Good. Keep him away from this mess.
Honestly this will be better for him in the long run instead of forcing him to fill a role on the team he may not be ready for (bottom six).
Let him dominate the OHL this year, carry Canada in the World Juniors, and win the Memorial Cup.
He started out strong but it was always an uphill battle for him. But then he kind of started regressing. He’s going to tear it up in the OHL this year.
This is purely speculation, but I wonder if CHL players win their case against the NCAA that players like Cowan play their post draft year in the NCAA to then be eligible for the AHL at 19.
I mean this isn’t terrible news, I think most people had it playing out this way no?