This past weekend, we finally got some hockey news. According to Frank Seravalli, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still considered the frontrunner for top free agent Jack Roslovic.
“I think the Maple Leafs are still very much in contention to get Jack Roslovic.”
Bleacher Report (8/22)
Roslovic was a player the Maple Leafs were linked to back in mid-July after the first wave of free agents signed with their respective clubs. The first NHL insider to talk about the idea of him signing with Toronto was Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, and he had this to say:
“It makes sense to me because he has a history with Auston Matthews,” Friedman said. “They played together at the US National Development Team, so I could see this connection. Roslovic is also a right-hand shot. You know he is a veteran. He’s been around a long time. Matthews obviously knows him. I’m curious to see if that happens.”
32 Thoughts the Podcast
Now after almost six weeks, they still remain interested in Roslovic.
Could Roslovic Be a PTO Option?
If the reports are true and the Maple Leafs still remain interested in Roslovic this late into the off-season, the question is whether they work out an agreement for him to come in on a professional tryout (PTO). It would essentially guarantee him signing a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs, or another team that expresses interest while he’s on the PTO. After a good season, it could allow him to earn a longer-term contract next summer.
Roslovic, 28, scored 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points in 81 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. That total would have ranked him sixth on the Maple Leafs in goals, which is something you can never have enough of. Especially after the organization lost one of its best forwards on July 1 in Mitch Marner. As Friedman mentioned, Roslovic has a history with Auston Matthews from their time at the US National Development Team. That connection may interest Brad Treliving and Craig Berube, as it could help Matthews adjust to life without Marner on his wing. Nevertheless, Roslovic would be slotting in beside Matthews and Matthew Knies, which is one of the best jobs in the league.
Related: 3 Way-Too-Early Maple Leafs Predictions for the 2025-26 Season
If Roslovic joins the team during training camp and makes the roster, he may need to adjust his game if he’s on the top line. He would have big shoes to fill, especially in the assist department. Ideally, he would continue putting the puck in the net but also increase his assist totals from 17 to somewhere in the 40–45 range.
In terms of a contract, the Maple Leafs currently have $1.92 million in projected cap space. However, there are some roster changes needed, which could mean placing Calle Jarnkrok and/or David Kampf on waivers in hopes they get claimed. If not, their contracts could be buried in the American Hockey League (AHL). If Roslovic signed after joining on a PTO, his cap hit shouldn’t exceed more than $2 million, which would be affordable for the Maple Leafs if they can clear out at least one player’s salary.
