Brad Treliving Must Strike Quickly on Two Underrated Free Agents Before Market Heats Up
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving needs to be vigilant and add either Jack Roslovic or Justin Brazeau this upcoming free agency as budget choices to improve the team.
As Toronto heads into free agency with a lot on their plate in terms of potential signings, re-signings and making sure everything fits in their new plans, they could do a big service to themselves by adding some smaller named free agents.
Justin Brazeau and Jack Roslovic make perfect low-level additions
In Frank Seravalli's new free agency list, sitting 22nd and 39th respectively are forwards Jack Roslovic and Justin Brazeau.
Both men are expected to earn anywhere from a projected $1.4-4M per season (Brazeau and Roslovic respectively) according to Seravalli, and if the Maple Leafs want to bolster their bottom-six, they could find some great choices in both men.
Roslovic, 28, was Winnipeg's 25th overall pick in 2015 and has been a reliable, if unremarkable third-liner through his career.
He has put up two 20-goal seasons, and has put in a lot of work defensively and got much better in the face-off circle.
He has 260 points in 526 games (102G, 158A) and has a respectable 17 points in 45 playoff games.
Roslovic isn't the biggest center, but he would be a much better offensive replacement over David Kampf, and could slot in as the 3C while Scott Laughton takes over the fourth lines duties.
If Toronto were to sign him for three-years at $4.5M, then they could add a 3C who has the ability to slide up the lineup, who is still young and coming off one of his best offensive seasons.
Brazeau, 27, is the opposite of Roslovic, as he's a 6'6 bruising power forward who could give Craig Berube a physical force on the ice who can offer some levels of offense, but is mainly there to add intimidation, and discipline.
He doesn't have much experience, playing in only 95 games so far in his career as a late bloomer, however has settled into a solid bottom-six role and knows what he brings to the table and he's a very cheap option.
How would both men fit into Toronto's lineup?
Toronto could easily get away with signing both over the next couple of years and have their bottom six locked down.
Here's how a lineup with both men could look:
McMann - Roslovic - Robertson
Brazeau - Laughton - Holmberg
That bottom six gives Toronto an energetic, physical, yet offensively sound third line, while the fourth line (or 3B as Berube likes) is an uber-physical, gritty and intimidating group.
It's not the flashiest option and may make fans think Treliving is a bit crazy to not go after a bigger name, but with who is coming around in 2026: It's well worth saving some money now.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 403 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Must Strike Quickly on Two Underrated Free Agents Before Market Heats Up Which player would you prefer the Maple Leafs sign? | ||
| Justin Brazeau | 62 | 15.4 % |
| Jack Roslovic | 59 | 14.6 % |
| Both | 94 | 23.3 % |
| Neither | 188 | 46.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
