Most top prospects have already found their homes a week into the 2025 NHL free agency. Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, and Sam Bennett continue to thrive with the Florida Panthers. JJ Peterka will now pioneer the young core of the Utah Mammoth. Nikolaj Ehlers is now a left winger with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, what free agency trade commanded the most chatter? Undoubtedly, Mitch Marner’s exit from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Marner is a star player. His last season with the Maple Leafs was exemplary. The 28-year-old accumulated 102 points in 81 regular-season games and added 13 more in 13 postseason games. Although the Leafs got forward Nicolas Roy from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Marner, the team could do with a top prospect, preferably a first-round pick like Marner. But what does a dwindling free agency market offer to the Leafs?
Jack Roslovic Might be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Next Target
Hurricanes center Jack Roslovic, who played for the Winnipeg Jets in his first four NHL seasons, is one of the remaining unsigned top prospects. According to Elliotte Friedman, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving could have his eyes set on the 28-year-old.
Toronto Maple Leafs have interest in signing Jack Roslovic, according to @FriedgeHNIC on new 32 Thoughts podcast. Best UFA still on the board ⤵️ https://t.co/IyZqwMpycB
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) July 6, 2025
On the latest episode of the ’32 Thoughts’ podcast, Friedman clarified that the Leafs could opt for the veteran center, and Roslovic could be a perfect fit. “One other guy I think the Leafs are in on is Jack Roslovic. And it makes sense to me because he has a history with Auston Matthews.”
As Friedman stated, the former Jets standout has already played with Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. “They played together at the US National Development Team. So I could see the connection.”
The familiarity could further sweeten the deal for Roslovic and the Leafs. Moreover, for reasons that have purely got to do with Roslovic’s performance on the rink, the Toronto outfit could be interested in his services, especially in the wake of a player like Marner leaving its ranks. “You know, Roslovic is also a right-hand shot. You know, he’s a veteran. He’s been around a long time. Matthews obviously knows him.”
In totality, Roslovic, a 2015 first-round NHL draft pick, seems well-aligned with the Maple Leafs’ requirements right now. The Leafs brought Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth in the wake of Marner’s exit. Maccelli is a player of untapped potential with an unparalleled love for the game. Now, if the Leafs end up signing a contract with Roslovic, the team may finally be able to regain its playoff potential, notwithstanding Marner’s loss.
Ya if The Leafs got every other teams top gun, The Leafs would have a great team.ha