Maple Leafs Reportedly Eyeing Potential Deal for Auston Matthews' Former Teammate
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs could pursue Jack Roslovic in free agency to pair him up with old teammate Auston Matthews.
There are still a few options for the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to bringing in a top-six forward, and while the trade market seems like the most viable route for the team to go, there are still some solid free agents available.
Jeff Skinner, Victor Olofsson, and Luke Kunin are all still available, and all offer different avenues whether Toronto wants to add a veteran presence, scoring and discipline, or a gritty no-nonsense forward.
Jack Roslovic a serious candidate to sign with Maple Leafs: Friedman
But one name who has stuck around so far on the open market is forward Jack Roslovic, with the former Carolina Hurricane making sure to enjoy his summer before focusing on choosing where to play next.
According to Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, the Maple Leafs might be looking to bring him in:
One other guy, we mentioned him already for Washington, but one name I think the Maple Leafs are in on is Jack Roslovic.
It makes sense to me, he has a history with Auston Matthews, they played together with the USNTDP, I can see this connection. He's a right-hand shot, a veteran, I'm curious to see if that happens.
It makes sense to me, he has a history with Auston Matthews, they played together with the USNTDP, I can see this connection. He's a right-hand shot, a veteran, I'm curious to see if that happens.
We touched previously on Roslovic being a potential target for the Maple Leafs, and with him going to get a fairly cheap deal, there's a strong chance that Toronto can use the rest of their cap to grab him; or trade some pieces to give them some wiggle room.
Roslovic a cheap and reliable option for Auston Matthews
Both Roslovic and Matthews were part of both the U-17 and U-18 US National Teams, and if they can find some type of chemistry together once again, it could pay off huge for Toronto.
Roslovic, 28, has 260 points in 526 games (102 goals, 158 assists) with time spent between Winnipeg, Columbus, New York, and Carolina; he was drafted 25th overall by the Jets in 2015.
While he struggled last year, Roslovic has certainly picked things up with a 22-goal campaign in 2024-25, tying his career high. He's good but not great defensively, but will give you goal-scoring, playmaking, discipline and heart.
He made only $2.8-million this past season, so it wouldn't be odd to see Treliving offer a multi-year deal worth $2-million; get him back on his feet and give him a chance to play his way into a bigger deal in the future.
Considering the team wants to pull off a deal, perhaps they can sign Roslovic on the cheap and use their other pieces to recoup some draft assets or bring in players that fit their system.
It's not the flashy move fans want, but with this new look Maple Leafs it's not going to be about pizzazz, but passion.
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