Hard to say. Cowan does seem to have stalled somewhat in his development which is likely a product of him not playing in the AHL this season where he actually belongs. My best guess is that he starts next year in the minors but gets call ups during the season.
Niemela won’t fit with Berube as a coach. He doesn’t have the offensive ability to quarterback a power play at the NHL level yet and is too small to clear the net defensively. He’s probably a decent #5 at even strength as a Connor Timmins replacement but Connor Timmins is more experienced, and stronger than Niemela. There just isn’t a role for him on the current iteration of the leafs.
Anyone remember who he played with when he was up with the leafs? I’d love to get him an extended look on the 4th line to see what we got with him.
Why not the third line not like they’ve been lighting it up!
No they didn't. All draft picks have a promotion pathway. It's just a matter of working on the things you need, and getting to that level. Most will fail. Some will succeed. But there is room for more than one type of player in the NHL, and any regime that dismisses prospects because they don't fit some specific profile is putting themselves at a disadvantage.
Or they give you multiple years of surplus value and then return a 1st round pick+.
Marlies lost this one 4-2 against a good SJ team, deservedly so.
