Cowen getting back in shape

[Jasmine]

I found this French article about Jared Cowen. In case some of you don't read French, it basically says that he chose to stay in town most of the summer to work out - get back in shape and work on his weaknesses. He is quoted as saying that he has nothing good to say about last season, that he was feeling some kind of pain/discomfort from the hip surgery. Says he is feeling healthy and ready to go.

http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/sports/ ... ction_POS1

[Josh]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

Interesting, but wasn't he saying similar things last summer?

[Alfie11]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

Interesting, but wasn't he saying similar things last summer?

Yeah, but I think last season was more of an injury thing. I think the rust factor played a factor. He barely got any hockey in during the lockout season due to injury and then didn't get the full training camp in. This year he's coming in after working out all summer and is ready for camp right away.

Hopefully he can rebound. I'm not sold on his potential to be a consistent top four defenseman in the league yet.

[Josh]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

I do think he will have a big season. He's got the potential to be Karlsson's partner for several years, and you'd think that'd be an opportunity he'd be striving for.

[Jasmine]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

It is mentionned in the article that he is aiming for a Karlsson pairing...long term. From what I read, he is realistic, he has a lot to prove to earn that spot and keep it.

[Alfie11]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

He does have the potential, I'm just not sure how if he'll reach it. I have my doubts about his hockey sense.

[Josh]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

Which is strange, because his scouting reports all indicated that he had great hockey sense, at least in his own end for sure. Then again, some of his scouting reports came back as touting him as a powerplay quarterback too..

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

I'm not giving up entirely on Cowen yet. Dmen take time to develop.

[Alfie11]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

Yeah, we'll see how he plays and how his hockey sense was last year. A combination of his youth, inexperience and how he was struggling could all play a big part. Simple plays he would mess up on last year. But it could be as simple as him trying to do too much because he was struggling. What's good for me is that Cowen has a lot of tools to become an elite defensive defenseman. You see so many flake out because of their skating, puck-handling, transition game and mobility but Cowen does very well (in general) in those regards.

That's odd about him being a potential powerplay quarterback. He doesn't have the vision or the offensive instinct to become a quarterback. However, I will admit, Cowen has a pretty good offensive game for his style. I think he has potential for 10 goals and 35 points

[Josh]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

Apparently he was running the PP most nights in the WHL

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

I could see him on the PP. He's not scaring anyone with his BB wrist shots but he's a decent passer and his shots have a tendency to get to the keeper, causing rebounds.

Of course, when you already have Karlsson on the team there's no real need...

[Alfie11]

Re: Cowen getting back in shape

I honestly don't think he's a bad option beside Karlsson for the PP. I don't think he can run a power play, but I think he can play on one.