Jack Roslovic hasn’t been in Toronto long, but he already sounds like a player who’s starting to find his footing - and Auston Matthews has been a big part of that.
The newest Maple Leafs forward said Matthews has been checking in regularly since Roslovic arrived this offseason, helping with the little things that can make a new city feel a lot less overwhelming. That’s meant everything from figuring out where to live to getting introduced around the organization.
“Yeah, I’ve talked to Auston a lot. He’s been awesome, helping me figure out where to live, what to do around town, and even introducing me to the staff and people around the organization… It’s really fun when you get the chance to play with someone you once had a lot of success with,” Roslovic said.
Roslovic also said the early signs inside the room have been encouraging. He’s already been in touch with teammates through group chats, and the vibe, at least from his side, sounds pretty positive.
“I’ve heard their locker room is really strong, and we’ve already been chatting in the group messages, getting to know everyone. It seems like it’s going to be a good time, and everyone’s ready to get to work. So it’s exciting.”
The connection between Roslovic and Matthews goes way back. The two spent two seasons together with the U.S.
National Team Development Program before their NHL paths split off. Roslovic was taken 25th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL Draft, while Matthews went first overall to Toronto the following year.
Now, after all that time, they’ll finally be teammates again.
Toronto brought Roslovic in on July 1, 2026, signing him to a two-year, $8 million deal with a $4 million average annual value through the 2027-28 season.
He arrives after another productive year in Edmonton, where he scored 21 goals and added 15 assists in 69 games. That followed a 2024-25 season with the Carolina Hurricanes in which he tied his career high with 22 goals, giving him back-to-back 20-goal seasons.
When asked a day after signing about the chance to reunite with Matthews, Roslovic didn’t hide how he felt.
“Stoked. It’s going to be awesome,” Roslovic said during his introductory media availability.
“[I’m] really familiar with his game, really familiar with the person and who he is as a guy and as a leader. I’ve seen him grow in a lot of ways, and I’ve been able to be on his journey a little bit from the outside.”
Roslovic, 29, was selected in the first round of the 2015 draft and has since played for the Jets, Blue Jackets, Rangers, Hurricanes and Oilers before landing in Toronto. Across 10 NHL seasons, he has 123 goals and 173 assists for 296 points in 595 regular-season games, along with 18 points - three goals and 15 assists - in 51 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
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