Craig Berube on Easton Cowan skating as the 13th forward in practice: "No decisions have been made... Just keep working and practicing"

"What is the plan for Easton Cowan moving forward? Berube: Just keep working and keep practicing. He has had a good camp. No decisions have been made. That is where we are at. How do you make the final decision? Berube: You have to look at where your team is. Does he help us right now? What is best for him? He's a young kid, but we liked him in camp. He is here right now."

"What kind of benefit would you see if Cowan were to go down versus stay up? Berube: I've done both in my years. I have seen young players who were skilled - like Cowan - who started in a bottom-six role, but they eventually touched the power play a bit and moved their way up the lineup. They're top-line players now. There are other ways, too. You can send guys down, where they get work and a lot of ice time. They touch a lot more of the game."

"How did the Scott Laughton injury affect the line and how you think about the decision? Berube: It did. We lost a center, so I decided to move Max Domi back to the middle. I am comfortable with it, and he is comfortable with it. He has been there a lot for us. That was the reasoning. What is the plan for James Reimer moving forward? Berube: It is still up in the air. I don't have a lot to say on that. He has had no time. He played half a game, and we were in the box for it. He got a lot of action. That will play itself out right now."

Easton Cowan remains at practice as the 13th forward with no final roster decision, and continued practice and development are the current course. Evaluation will balance whether Cowan helps the NHL roster immediately against developmental benefits of AHL ice time or gradual elevation from a bottom-six role to power-play opportunities. Scott Laughton’s injury prompted moving Max Domi back to center. James Reimer’s status is uncertain after limited in-game action and will be determined over time. Practice lines and defensive pairings were set for the session, with Stolarz and Hildeby listed among the goaltenders.

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