Jared Cowen Is ‘Most Expensive Healthy Scratch’ This Week

By Catherine Silverman | Oct 15, 2014

Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (21) and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen (2) battle for position in front of goaltender Robin Lehner (40) during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Jared Cowen has been scratched again, and he isn’t pleased about the decision- but understands why

When the Ottawa Senators signed Jared Cowen for $3.1 million AAV back in 2013, they probably didn’t expect to be spending $3.1 million on a player who would sit in the press box… but the defenseman is going into his second game doing just that.

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The blue-liner has had some puck possession issues as the season begins, which have led to goals against the Eastern Conference franchise already this week. It’s no secret that the 23-year-old is sitting out for this very reason, and he knows it.

Just because he knows what he’s doing wrong, though, doesn’t make Cowen any happier about his coach’s decision. In an interview with Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen, he said that he knows that he needs to find more consistency- the season is off to an okay start for the Senators, and this defenseman should know better than to jeopardize this.

According to the Citizen, Cowen’s issues with puck possession have revolved around his indecision when making passes- he’s too hesitant, and that’s been leading to turnovers.

Cowen isn’t alone in the league with his slow start- the Arizona Coyotes had a couple of key players start off with some terrible numbers, and the Boston Bruins are one of the far-too-many franchises sitting with four goals in as many games. The Ottawa Senators missed out on the postseason this past spring, though, and will need to make some serious sacrifices in order to get there this year.

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