Insider addresses rumours that Leafs have given up on Easton Cowan after poor WJC performance

Almost 24 hours following Team Canada’s elimination from the World Junior Championship, fans still aren’t getting over the fact that Canada has failed to advance beyond the quarter-final round for consecutive seasons. Canada’s self-inflicted mistakes led to goals throughout the entire tournament, and fans are furious the players, head coach Dave Cameron and his staff and Hockey Canada’s management.

Defenseman Andrew Gibson, who was in the penalty box for kneeing with just over two minutes to go, leading to Adam Jecho scoring the game-winner for Czechia on the power play with 40 seconds remaining in the third period, has even received death threats.

The heat has also landed on Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan who has also received a ton of hate for his lackluster performance in the tournament. He did not live up to expectations and now fans are begging the Maple Leafs to forget about it and move on from Cowan.

There’s been so much said on Cowan and how Toronto should give up on him that insider Elliotte Friedman stepped up and called out fans who are criticizing the Maple Leafs’ prospect on Sportsnet’s 590 The FAN.

“I know Cowan really struggled the last couple of weeks, but I think you’re insane if you’re giving up on this kid based on two bad weeks.

“I see people saying, oh, they should trade him. Number one, his value will never be lower than it is now. And number two, I think it’s bananas to give up on someone you really think highly of based on two bad weeks.”

It was a short tournament for Team Canada and Cowan, who still managed to finish tied with Brayden Yager for the most points on the roster with three in five games. Still, you have to admit it’s not a lot… He needed to have a better tournament, but it does not allow fans to boot him out of the NHL like that.

Earlier today, former Canadian hockey coach and NHL analyst Don Cherry came to the defense of Canadian players, sending this message on social media about the elimination:

“Don’t be too hard on the kids. They tried their best. They seemed tight all tournament. Hockey Canada has to get with it and hire full-time coaches for the World Jrs, Under 18, Under 17 and get some consistency.”

That includes Cowan, who remains a top prospect in Toronto.