New Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jack Roslovic shared the reasons behind his decision to join Toronto during this offseason’s free agency period.
The Maple Leafs signed Roslovic to a two-year contract worth $8 million on July 1, keeping him in Canada after he spent last season with the Edmonton Oilers.
Following a year alongside NHL superstar Connor McDavid, Roslovic is now set to skate with Auston Matthews in Toronto. The two are already familiar with each other from their time together in the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Jack Roslovic Explains Signing in Toronto
Speaking on TSN’s OverDrive, Roslovic detailed why he chose to join the Maple Leafs.
“It was a combination of a lot of things,” Roslovic said. “You could say they didn’t have their strongest season last year, but this is a team that feels new, young, energetic, and ready to win. There are also a few familiar faces here. They play an exciting brand of hockey, and I wanted to be part of that.”
The 29-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, is entering his 11th NHL season and will be skating for his sixth different team. Roslovic is hopeful that Toronto can become a long-term home for him, especially with the opportunity to potentially play alongside Auston Matthews.
“We played in juniors together and had a lot of success at that level. I’ve been watching him from afar a bit. Obviously, still close friends. Watching him grow as a person, as a player, it’s remarkable to see what he’s done. Being the captain here, obviously, it’s not an easy thing to do. But the ability for him and the way he plays and the way he exerts himself on a daily basis is awesome. So, once again, just excited to get pushing with him and be able to play and pick up some things that will translate for my game,” Roslovic.
Jack Roslovic Open to Any Possibilities in Toronto
While Roslovic would obviously love to play with Matthews on the Maple Leafs’ first line — who wouldn’t? — it will ultimately be a decision made by new Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller as to what line he plays on and what role he is deployed in with Toronto.
That’s just fine with Roslovic, who says he plans on talking to the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff at some point soon, as he knows the braintrust is hard at work at Toronto’s head office right now, thinking of the team’s plan of attack for this coming season.
“Yeah, I think we’re obviously going to sit down. It’s August, but the grind starts. They’re there in the office, and they’re working. There’s going to be an evaluation period, and there’s going to be some kinks to figure out, but we’ll work it out,” Roslovic said.
With Maple Leafs training camp starting in just a few short weeks, it won’t be long until Roslovic gets a better handle on what role that Hiller plans to have for him this year.
