Jack Roslovic being around Toronto lately and spending time with Auston Matthews has naturally nudged Maple Leafs fans toward the same question: is he the answer on Matthews’ right side?
There isn’t much chatter out there about Toronto targeting a big-name fit for that spot. Still, the Roslovic connection has become hard to ignore, especially because of the history between the two and the sense that the Leafs may already be comfortable with a player they know can slide into that role.
The obvious caveat is that Roslovic is not Mitch Marner. That comparison doesn’t really hold up. Marner was the kind of winger who could manufacture offense out of thin air, while Roslovic is more of a scorer and not the sort of uniquely creative puck mover Marner was.
But the part that matters most here is the familiarity. Roslovic and Matthews have been close for a while, long before the NHL entered the picture, and that kind of connection can matter when a team is trying to build chemistry on the fly. Players who already know each other’s habits tend to find cleaner timing, quicker reads, and easier passing lanes.
That leads to the bigger question: what does Matthews actually need on his right side? Because once a player succeeds with Marner, it’s easy to assume Toronto has to replace that exact skill set.
Maybe that’s not the answer. Maybe Matthews just needs a winger who can keep pace, make smart decisions, move the puck north, and get it into the danger areas.
Roslovic’s game leans more direct than some fans might expect. He’s more shoot-first than pure setup man, but that doesn’t mean the line wouldn’t work. If he’s driving play toward the net and creating second chances, there’s still a path for that fit to make sense.
What stands out is that the Maple Leafs don’t appear to be in a rush to chase a very specific marquee right winger for the top line. That doesn’t close the door on changes later, and it doesn’t mean the roster won’t shift in camp. It just suggests Toronto may be open to a solution that feels workable rather than waiting for one giant answer to drop into place.
From that angle, Roslovic as a top-line option looks less like a flashy fix and more like a practical one. Not because he’s trying to replace Marner, but because speed, timing, and chemistry can go a long way when Matthews is the one setting the tone.
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The real test now comes in camp and then once the games start, when Toronto will find out whether the wager pays off the way it hopes. Sissons is being counted on to help in the hard minutes, and the Leafs will be watching closely to see if his game translates into the kind of steady impact that can justify the investment. [Read more 🡒]