The Toronto Marlies held a practice at Ford Performance Centre on Wednesday before travelling to Chicago ahead of the Calder Cup Finals. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Late in a tied Game 4 during the American Hockey League\u2019s Eastern Conference Finals, Toronto Marlies winger Easton Cowan committed a turnover in his own end that led directly to the game-winning goal by the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins. The gaffe allowed the Penguins to tie the series at two games each and regain home-ice advantage. <\/p>\n
Cowan, who spent almost the entire season in the NHL with the Maple Leafs, met the media afterwards and took responsibility for his mistake, while vowing to be better. The 21-year-old, first-year professional responded by scoring in both Game 5 and Game 6 to help the Marlies book their ticket to the Calder Cup Finals.<\/p>\n
The Marlies will face the Chicago Wolves, who are the Carolina Hurricanes AHL affiliate, in the championship series, which opens on Friday in Illinois. <\/p>\n
Cowan will be entering the series on a high. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe the signature moment of this process for Easton was what happened the other night,\u201d said Leafs assistant general manager Ryan Hardy, who oversees the team\u2019s minor-league operations. \u201cHe turned the puck over. He came out here, took it, owned it, and said, \u2018I cost my team the game. I have to be better.\u2019 He came out in Game 5 and he was better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cowan\u2019s confidence remained unshaken. The negative emotion quickly turned into determination. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s frustrating,\u201d Cowan said. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to cost your team the game. It\u2019s unfortunate. It sucks. But, you know, you gotta own it, and move on, and try to be better. And I felt like I did [that].\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a dog mentality,\u201d said Marlies defenceman Ben Danford. \u201cHe\u2019s got a great mindset. He\u2019s someone that mistakes happen and he doesn\u2019t let them get to him. He even told me in the car ride to Game 5, he\u2019s like, \u2018I\u2019m getting one tonight. I feel good. I feel good.\u2019 And he did, and he had a great game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cowan is tied for second on the Marlies with seven goals in the playoffs. He is now up to 13 points in 17 playoff games. <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Cowboy\u2019 is a good nickname for him,\u201d Hardy said, referring to the moniker that has followed Cowan since his junior days. \u201cSometimes with the puck, he has some unique gifts and special traits. For us, we try to give him the freedom to demonstrate those things. We don\u2019t want to suffocate that. As he matures and grows, he will learn when to manage the puck in situations and when not to. He is an incredible talent. He is an incredible kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cowan\u2019s minus-six mark is lowest on the Marlies in the playoffs, but growing pains are expected. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey all have playoff beards, and he doesn\u2019t because he can\u2019t grow one,\u201d Hardy said with a grin. <\/p>\n
Cowan, who was Toronto\u2019s first-round pick in 2023, always seems to come back stronger after a miscue and he doesn\u2019t shy away from big moments. He delivered a series-clinching goal late in Game 5 against the Cleveland Monsters in the North Division Final.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a kid who is going to have a massive impact on this organization over the next 10-15 years,\u201d Hardy said. \u201cWhat he\u2019s made of is what we want a lot of guys to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leafs prospect Cowan growing playoff confidence but struggling with playoff beard After making a costly turnover in Game 4 of the Conference Final, Easton Cowan responded by scoring in the next two games to help the Marlies advance to the Calder Cup Finals. The 21-year-old is maturing during the AHL playoffs even as he struggles to grow a playoff bear <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Cowan, who produced 29 points in 66 games with the Leafs during the regular season, did not take part in Wednesday\u2019s practice with the Marlies. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine,\u201d assured head coach John Gruden. \u201cHe\u2019s just taking a maintenance day. A lot of hockey for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cowan, who missed two games in the Conference Finals because of an upper body injury, is no stranger to long seasons. He helped the London Knights reach the Memorial Cup championship game in both 2024 and 2025. The latter year the Knights won it all with Cowan taking home MVP honours. <\/p>\n
This is his first professional playoff run and first in Toronto. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great city here,\u201d the native of Mount Brydges, Ont. said. \u201cEveryone\u2019s starting to rally around us so it\u2019s been good and exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for his attempt at growing a playoff beard? <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is all I get,\u201d Cowan said sheepishly. <\/p>\n
How much is he hearing about it from teammates? <\/p>\n
\u201cToo much.\u201d<\/p>\n
—-<\/p>\n
Danford joined the Marlies following the end of his Ontario Hockey League season with the Brantford Bulldogs. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty unexpected that I\u2019m in the Calder Cup Finals,\u201d the 20-year-old readily admits. \u201cIt\u2019s been a whirlwind the last month or so.\u201d<\/p>\n
After losing in the 2024 and 2025 OHL Finals with the Oshawa Generals, Danford is now getting another shot at a championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d be pretty cool to win a Calder Cup even before I had my first year pro,\u201d he said with a grin. <\/p>\n
Danford isn\u2019t just along for the ride. He has made a smooth transition to the professional level while playing opposite Marshall Rifai on Toronto\u2019s third pair. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been really impressive because, like, a forward, you have 12 forwards and you can hide them,\u201d Hardy said. \u201cFor a D-man, they\u2019re six. There\u2019s nowhere to hide, right? … It\u2019s hard to come in as a highly-touted kid from junior, and join a team of pros that have been together all year, and assimilate right away. And so he\u2019s had sort of the reverence to, you know, defer to the older guys and learn and be a part of it. And he\u2019s made our team a lot better since he\u2019s got here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hardy points out that Danford was likely feeling down after his OHL season ended earlier than expected when the powerhouse Bulldogs blew a 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final against the Barrie Colts. <\/p>\n
But the Leafs have believed in Danford\u2019s mental toughness since taking him in the first round of the 2024 draft. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was viewed a little bit as, \u2018This is an interesting pick,\u2019 just in, you know, what is the offensive upside of this guy?\u2019\u201d Hardy said. \u201cBut I think, at that time, we\u2019re betting on the competitiveness and the intelligence, which he has in spades, and his character is off the charts. He is more confident with the puck than maybe people give him credit for. I think there is a good puck game from a transitional perspective. He has a lot of confidence. He is a smart, competitive player who loves hockey and loves being part of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Danford has picked up two assists in 11 games with the Marlies, but he\u2019s finding ways to consistently generate chances. He landed 16 shots in six games during the Conference Finals. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve learned that I have to keep using my skating and hockey IQ to my advantage,\u201d he said. \u201cThose are things that help me in all aspects of the game defensively, offensively so just keep working on that and keep battling the defensive side of things. And keep shooting the puck. That\u2019s a goal of mine. I\u2019m shooting the puck more, trying to look for more lanes, and I think it\u2019s starting to pay off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Better known for his shot-blocking and shutdown abilities, Danford now finds himself quarterbacking the Marlies second power-play unit. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe confidence is growing for him,\u201d said Gruden. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to give him too much either. We want to make sure he\u2019s in that comfort zone of still doing a great job of what he\u2019s doing. Him and Rifai have played extremely well. But he\u2019s showing some composure back there [and] if things go wrong, he reads plays so well, he gets back, and he skates so well. So, you know, it\u2019s a good opportunity for him [on the power play] and it\u2019s another step in his development. We\u2019ll see how he handles it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leafs prospect Danford shows offensive upside in impressive transition to pro level Leafs prospect Ben Danford has made a smooth transition from the junior ranks to the pros since joining the Marlies for the AHL Conference Finals. “It’d be pretty cool to win a Calder Cup even before I had my first year pro,” the 20-year-old defenceman said. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Gruden deserves credit for integrating young players into the lineup while helping the Marlies navigate a play-in series against Rochester before defeating higher-seeded opponents Laval, Cleveland and Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton. <\/p>\n
So, has Gruden earned himself a conversation with new Leafs general manager John Chayka about the vacant head coach position with the NHL team? <\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Gruden said. \u201cHe\u2019s done a really good job of letting us kind of finish the year and kind of leaving us alone. Some nice texts and so forth. He\u2019s obviously got a job to do, but he\u2019s allowing us to do ours, which is really nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
But, make no mistake about it, Gruden is pushing hard to be a NHL head coach one day soon. That\u2019s why he left an assistant position with the Boston Bruins to get head coaching experience at the professional level in Toronto. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be a coach at the highest level,\u201d said Gruden, who is in his third season behind the Marlies bench. \u201cThat\u2019s why I left the Boston Bruins, to take this job and check that box. But right now I\u2019m focused on the Marlies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gruden, 56, has also served as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders and as a head coach in the OHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs where he won a title in 2018. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s obviously a players\u2019 coach,\u201d said Marlies captain Logan Shaw. \u201cHe loves giving the dressing room to the older guys and then coming in when he has to. But he holds you accountable to the right extent. We\u2019re a very deep team. It\u2019s easy for him to run the bench with all four lines and he\u2019s very good at that.\u201d<\/p>\n
What can Leafs management take away from Marlies run to Calder Cup Finals? Despite finishing fourth in the North Division in the regular season, the Marlies have advanced all the way to the Calder Cup Finals. Leafs assistant general manager Ryan Hardy, who serves as the minor-league team’s GM, explained what sparked the playoff push. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Gruden has also handled Toronto\u2019s goaltending situation well. During the regular season, the team split the workload between Dennis Hildeby (.898 save percentage in 23 games) and Artur Akhtyamov (.904 save percentage in 37 games). <\/p>\n
Hildeby played well in the NHL posting a .914 save percentage in 20 games with the Leafs. Akhtyamov made his NHL debut this season but struggled with an .877 save percentage in three appearances. <\/p>\n
Akhtyamov drew motivation from the experience. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was so good to learn from because obviously I was not really good there,\u201d the 24-year-old from Kazan, Rus. said. <\/p>\n
Akhtyamov was better with the Marlies in the AHL in the regular season and got the Game 1 start when the playoffs began. Gruden went to Hildeby for a do-or-die Game 3 in the play-in series against Rochester, but Akhtyamov took over the net for good in the next series against Laval. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe always had a bit of a platoon down here,\u201d Hardy said. \u201cThat is how we viewed the development of the goalies to make sure they were both getting enough. We started that way in the playoffs, kind of going back and forth, and eventually, the coaching staff felt like they wanted to ride Artie for a couple of games. And then the momentum started to build.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hildeby is not waiver-exempt next season. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur belief in Dennis is still massive,\u201d Hardy stressed of the 24-year-old Swede. \u201cHe is an incredible goalie. As we all know how this goes, we may very well see him at some point in the next seven games. He may have a large bit to say about the outcome of this playoff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Akhtyamov appears to be at the top of his game right now with a sparkling .927 save percentage through 17 playoff games. <\/p>\n
\u201cArtie has done a phenomenal job,\u201d Hardy gushed. \u201cI would say we don\u2019t get through Cleveland without him. We don\u2019t get through Wilkes without him. Some of those saves he made, even in overtime the other night, he is feeling it. Ride it \u2018til it bucks you, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy,\u201d said Danford. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen a goalie like him, especially for him to play like this in the playoffs. It\u2019s the biggest difference maker when it comes to playoffs. You have a hot goalie, I mean, you can go all the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Akhtyamov already has proven he can go all the way. He backstopped Almetyevsk Neftyanik to a VHL title (Russian second league) in 2024. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis experience in Russia, this help,\u201d said Akhtyamov. \u201cI know what I need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the key to playoff success? <\/p>\n
\u201cJust maybe stay calm,\u201d Akhtyamov said. \u201c[It\u2019s] the same game in my mind. This is same. Prepare like a regular season.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Never seen a goalie like him’: Akhtyamov rises up Leafs depth chart in AHL playoff run The Marlies are in the Calder Cup Finals thanks in large part to the play of Artur Akhtyamov who has posted a .927 save percentage in 17 games. The 24-year-old Russian has passed Denis Hildeby on the Leafs goalie depth chart. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Alex Nylander played the overtime hero in Game 6 to send the Marlies to the Calder Cup Finals. What did big brother William Nylander think? <\/p>\n
\u201cHe said he jumped up back home and was really happy,\u201d the 28-year-old Marlies winger said with a big smile. \u201cHe\u2019s happy for me and our team. He\u2019s been watching every step, and it means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
William has remained in Toronto to support his sibling. He was actually at a Marlies playoff game when the Leafs won the NHL draft lottery and secured the right to pick first overall. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe says I\u2019ve been playing really good, and I\u2019m getting better through each round,\u201d Alex noted. <\/p>\n
William is enjoying his brother\u2019s playoff run and life in Toronto, in general, right now. The Leafs winger made an appearance on stage alongside American country singer Luke Combs during a recent concert.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been enjoying his time off, obviously,\u201d Alex said. \u201cHe\u2019s been working out too, and preparing for next season, but just having some fun, obviously, during his summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
OT hero Nylander gets boost from big brother in quest to bring Calder Cup to Toronto Alex Nylander scored the overtime winner in Game 6 of the Conference Final to send the Marlies to the Calder Cup championship series. The Swedish winger is leaning on big brother William for advice during the playoff run. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Marlies centre Jacob Quillan, who missed the final three games of the Conference Finals with an upper-body injury, skated on his own before practice. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to want to play,\u201d said Gruden. \u201cThere\u2019s a possibility he could be in by mid [series].\u201d<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Lines at Marlies practice on Wednesday: <\/p>\n
Groulx – Shaw – Lettieri<\/p>\n
Johnson* – Haymes – Tverberg<\/p>\n
Valis – Pare – Nylander<\/p>\n
Sim – Johnstone – Pezzetta<\/p>\n
King<\/p>\n
Thrun – Benning<\/p>\n
Mermis – Villeneuve<\/p>\n
Rifai – Danford<\/p>\n
Smith – Chadwick<\/p>\n
Akhtyamov<\/p>\n
Hildeby<\/p>\n
*Cowan absent<\/p>\n
Power play units at Marlies practice on Wednesday: <\/p>\n
QB: Villeneuve<\/p>\n
Flanks: *Valis, Shaw<\/p>\n
Middle: Lettieri<\/p>\n
Net front: Groulx<\/p>\n
QB: Danford<\/p>\n
Flanks: Haymes, Nylander<\/p>\n
Middle: Tverberg<\/p>\n
Net front: Pare <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Toronto Marlies held a practice at Ford Performance Centre on Wednesday before travelling to Chicago ahead of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":729121,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[16159,64,63,126657,575,85,353042],"class_list":["post-729120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-apple-news","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-easton-cowan-sports-hockey-player-player-nhl-api-8484158","tag-nhl","tag-sports","tag-toronto-marlies-sports-hockey-team-team-league-stat-335"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/729120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=729120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/729120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/729121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=729120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=729120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=729120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}