Jack Roslovic’s name was missing from Maple Leafs practice on Tuesday morning, and that alone was enough to set off alarms for a fan base that’s been through too much already.
The team called it maintenance, but in Toronto, that word doesn’t exactly land softly anymore. Roslovic is in the middle of a seven-game point streak, so the timing stood out.
And after what happened in last night’s 3-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth, the concern only grew. Darren Raddysh’s cross-checking penalty helped swing the game late, turning another tight finish into another gut punch for the Leafs.
Roslovic had scored two beautiful goals in the loss, but he also appeared to be dealing with something physically. He was not made available to reporters after the game, and coach Jim Hiller said there’s “something going on” with Roslovic, though he wouldn’t get into specifics.
That’s where the unease comes from. In a different era, “maintenance” might just mean a veteran getting a light day.
Under Craig Berube, it often felt like the first warning sign of a bigger problem. The last two seasons left Toronto with a pattern that’s hard to ignore.
Brandon Carlo was held out on Nov. 14 for maintenance, then listed day-to-day, then placed on IR, and eventually needed surgery that kept him out for a month. Anthony Stolarz got a maintenance day, and a week later he was also sidelined. William Nylander had the same kind of sequence: maintenance first, then two weeks out with a groin injury.
So when a Leafs player gets a maintenance day now, it’s impossible not to wonder if something worse is coming.
There is at least some reason to think this one could be less serious. Toronto has a new Sport Performance staff, including a wave of new doctors and trainers brought in to help speed recovery and keep players healthy.
Still, Roslovic’s status has fans on edge. He might simply need a breather. But after the way the past two seasons have gone, it’s hard for Maple Leafs supporters not to brace for the worst.
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Maple Leafs Face A Growing Problem Ahead Of Montreal
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Jim Hiller has been pressing the same broader point: the Leafs need more time in the offensive zone so they are not spending shifts under constant defensive stress. The players have echoed the importance of communication and trust in the system, while John Tavares continues to move in the right direction in his recovery and will be evaluated before any return is considered. [Read more 🡒]