Minister of Offence
Registered User
Cowen is strong enough to lean on people. He's mobile enough to get back into the play when he makes a bad pinch. He lost basically a year and a half of development from his knee injury. I have full confidence he'll be a beast in a couple years - and he already is strong enough to play in the NHL.
As to why the Sens like him: He's an excellent fit with our golden boy, Erik Karlsson. He has enough skill/puck handling to perhaps give us a Keith-Seabrook type top pairing as early as next season.
Find other 6'5-6'6 235 19 year olds that have QBd powerplays in the CHL and you probably get a look into why Cowen was and is regarded highly. He's probably going to play in the NHL at an Andy Sutton size and his mobility right now is pretty similar to what Sutton's is currently.
His hands need a lot of work, but he showed in pre-season he could have played good defense in the NHL right now. Systematic hockey will make things easier on him.
I think people are underwhelmed because he can make it look pretty ugly out their...but a 19 year old with his size and mobility has a lot of developmental room heading into the NHL.