Jack Roslovic Rejects Interview as Season Nears Without New NHL Contract

Currently skating in Columbus, Jack Roslovic is waiting to hear from teams on if he'll get a contract for the 2025-26 season, having been for the last month the top free agent available, but with no takers giving him the deal that he wants.

Poised to have been a potential top-six signing at the start of free agency, Roslovic awaits a new deal with days left to go before things begin, and his options looking less and less.

Being asked about his free agent situation, Roslovic denied a request for comment when asked by Aaron Portzline of 'The Athletic', shutting down at this time any additional word on his future.

Jack Roslovic is still available on the open market as the regular season nears, and injuries across the NHL could open up teams to revisit the 28-year-old as an option.

Roslovic had 22 goals and 39 points last season for the Carolina Hurricanes in 81 games played, but despite his offensive abilities has not been able to net a new contract.

Reports earlier in the offseason indicated interest from Toronto in Roslovic, but in recent weeks the talks have appeared to cool down as the Leafs try to finalize their own roster, but it doesn't take Roslovic out of the equation for Toronto.

With Easton Cowan projected to make the Leafs lineup, Toronto has even less certainty with new additions to their forward group, but if Cowan is returned to the AHL, it could open a spot for Roslovic to sign with Toronto, if that's what the Leafs want to do.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking to solidify their offense, and they could potentially take another swing at Roslovic depending on how they feel about where their roster is.

Currently, Toronto does have an uncertainty in their top-six with Max Domi likely to be slotting into the first line next to Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, making the right wing an area where an upgrade could be eyed.

Domi had eight goals and 33 points in 74 games, making Roslovic offensively potentially an upgrade on Domi, while also being younger and bigger, although he lacks the defensive abilities of Domi that make him more valuable than Roslovic as an all-around option.

Toronto is with a lack of free agent options that could help their top-six. Evgeny Kuznetsov, one player linked to Toronto, is expected to return to Russia on a new deal, and Michael McLeod is heavily linked to Carolina, although Chris Johnston reported in 'The Athletic' that fan backlash has made such a deal less certain.

McLeod is unlikely for Toronto who would have even more media and a larger fanbase to contend with a controversial signing, leaving Roslovic the one name who best fits any sort of potential upgrade to the Leafs forward group.

If Toronto is set in their lineup, they may let things pass and move on from Roslovic as an option. If they're still interested, they may want to move quickly to upgrade their roster before a team with more holes swoops them before Toronto has a chance.