Can Leafs find late first-round magic again?

After taking future OHL MVP Cowan at No. 28, expectations are high with Toronto at No. 23

- KEVIN MCGRAN

The Maple Leafs can retain restricted free agent Nick Robertson with a qualifying offer of $892,500 (U.S.).

LAS VEGAS To most draft prognosticators, the Maple Leafs went “off the board” when they chose Easton Cowan of the London Knights with the 28th overall pick last year.

It worked out pretty well, with Cowan projecting to be a top-six winger as soon as next season following a 96-point campaign in the OHL.

“We had high expectations for him, but I think everything he did this year was on Easton, and I think he exceeded our expectations, no doubt,” said Wes Clark, the Leafs director of player personnel and amateur scouting. “I know you (media) guys thought we reached for him, but we have a process that we stick to and don’t let the outside noise affect what we’re doing inside.

“We stick to what we believe in and attack it and see what falls down the road.”