Maple Leafs Link to Jack Roslovic Intensifies With One Forward's Spot in Jeopardy
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Free agent forward Jack Roslovic may end up signing with the Maple Leafs after months of speculation, which may lead Max Domi to be on the outside looking in.
It's been quite the few months for Jack Roslovic this summer, as he came into the free agent market as one of the better forwards available after the dust settled, but he's still without a deal as we creep into the second week of September and there's no indication he's signing anytime soon.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been heavily linked to the free agent given his ability to help with their secondary scoring, relative cheapness, and familiarity with Auston Matthews, and he could end up gambling on himself and trying to get a better pay day next summer.
Which Maple Leafs Forward Risks Losing Ice Time if Roslovic Arrives
So if he does end up finding his way onto the Maple Leafs squad, odds are they are going to make sure he either plays on Matthews' wing or end up somewhere in the middle-six.
That spells bad news for Max Domi, as he could definitely be on the outside looking in especially with the new additions to the team, and a few rookies who can compete for his spot.
Nothing against Domi but he hasn't been what Toronto needs. Sure, he had a solid debut season and subsequently was signed to a big extension but failed last year, and had some of the worst production of his career.
In 74 games for the Leafs last season, he only put up 33 points (8 goals, 25 assists) and was decent in the face-off circle but struggled defensively and often found himself up and down the lineup.
He showed up a bit in the playoffs thankfully but it's hard to warrant paying him nearly $4-million to maybe get 35 points and he doesn't offer the versatility of someone like a Nic Roy or Dakota Joshua.
One thing that Domi has going for him is the familiarity with the team and whatever chemistry he's built up over the last two seasons. Craig Berube might not want to try too many novel ideas lest he risk ruining what was successful last year.
Why Jack Roslovic Could Be a Fit in Toronto's Lineup
But if the team does decide to add him into the fray, they are at least getting someone who can handle their own offensively and hopefully be able to learn to improve his defense under Berube.
Roslovic, 28, had 39 points in 81 games last season (22 goals, 17 assists) and has 260 points in 526 games (102 goals, 158 assists) as well as 17 points in 45 playoff contests (3 goals, 14 assists).
There's no guarantee that Roslovic will hit that 20-goal plateau again as he only has another 20-goal season in his nine-year career but is capable of giving Toronto at least 12-15 goals and be a solid addition to a second PP unit.
He at least offers a bit more offensive upside than Domi, though he will also have competition with Easton Cowan, Nick Robertson, and the like in terms of getting a shot with Matthews; there's a lot of potential groupings that could work out.
The main focus right now is actually locking down Roslovic to a deal, and while the team doesn't have a ton of cap or roster room, they certainly have the ability to make room.
So while we wait and see what Jack is going to do, it's gotta be weighing on Max Domi too: The team added a lot of new bodies; was it a way to push him out?
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