Whether it ends up being in with the BSens or here in Ottawa, it’s safe to say the Senators are expecting big things from defenceman Jared Cowen next season.
And at 6’5, 230 lbs and still growing, you can see why that might be the case. The Saskatoon native is coming off his first full season in the National Hockey League and will be expected to take on an increased role in the organization heading into the 2012/2013 campaign.
Now exactly where Cowen will take on that increased role is still undecided.
If the league can sort out the current labour issues, Cowen can expect to find himself on the team’s second defence pairing, likely in his familiar spot alongside Sergei Gonchar. In conversations with the media over a week ago, Bryan Murray indicated that Cowen would join the team in Binghamton in the event of a lockout. Cowen is entering the second season of his entry level contract, meaning he will be AHL eligible.
Assuming he does end up playing under new Head Coach Luke Richardson down in Bingo, he can expect find himself as a top pairing guy, logging big minutes and in all situations.
Either way it’s clear the organization is counting on Cowen to be an important part of this team moving forward. Cowen appeared in all 82 of the team’s games last season and played another seven in the playoffs. While he didn’t have the flash of some of the other guys included in last year’s rookie class, he did finish 11th in the voting, picking up four 5th place votes.
There is always concern about the dreaded sophomore slump but Cowen has a reputation for being an extremely hard-working player which should help him build on last season’s success.
What do you expect from Cowen next season? What type of player do you see him becoming down the road?
- Speaking of defenceman, it sounds like Erik Karlsson’s agent is actively looking for options for his client during the lockout. According to a tweet from @steffeG, Karlsson’s agent has been in touch with two second-tier Swedish Elite League teams, including Djurgarden. Karlsson has previously indicated that the KHL may be an option.
- I know I said I would refrain from any more lockout talk but a quick update couldn’t hurt. In what has to be considered a last ditch effort, the two sides will get together again in New York City. The NHLPA met for more than 90 minutes yesterday and discussed their approach heading into Wednesday’s meeting. Not a ton of optimism around today’s talks but it’s better than nothing.
