"The Ottawa Senators will make their final cuts Saturday.

Jared Cowen won't be among them.

The 20-year-old defenceman, the team's first-round pick (ninth overall) in 2009, will have a spot among the seven defencemen the team carries, if not a regular spot among the top six, especially with Chris Phillips and Matt Carkner having been bothered by minor injuries.

It can't be said that Cowen joined centre Mika Zibanejad as one of the surprises of training camp.

Cowen appeared close to making the team last year, and, in retrospect, given the terrible years that Phillips, Filip Kuba, and Sergei Gonchar had, maybe he should have.

Cowen, who had two goals and one assist and was plus-3 in six games, might have been the best defenceman during training camp.

"I think he's been great," said MacLean.

"He's getting better every day just a little bit and I think he's acquitted himself well."