Leafs Waste No Time Replacing Marner — Zero in on UFA Jack Roslovic for Right Wing Reinforcement

As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for a transformative 2025–26 NHL season, the front office is moving decisively in the wake of Mitch Marner’s anticipated departure. With trade rumors surrounding the star winger now all but confirmed, the organization has shifted into high gear to secure a replacement. Their top target? Unrestricted free agent Jack Roslovic — a dynamic right winger with speed, versatility, and offensive upside.

With the Maple Leafs likely parting ways with Marner in the coming weeks, general manager Brad Treliving faces immediate pressure to stabilize the top six. The former 4th overall pick has been central to the Leafs’ offense for years, serving as both a playmaker and scorer. His chemistry with Auston Matthews and William Nylander has been a staple of Toronto’s identity.

But with contract negotiations stalling and the team looking to reshape its financial and competitive balance, Marner’s exit was seen as inevitable. Toronto’s strategy appears to be focused on quickly filling that void with a player who not only fits within the system but also allows the team to redirect cap space toward more balanced roster construction.

Jack Roslovic, coming off a season split between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers, has emerged as a top target for the Leafs. At 27 years old, the former first-round pick still has untapped potential, and his recent playoff performance for the Rangers has turned heads across the league. Though he has struggled with consistency, Roslovic’s skill set makes him an intriguing option for Toronto.

A gifted skater with elite acceleration and deceptive puck control, Roslovic brings the kind of transitional speed that can complement a line led by either Matthews or Nylander. His ability to adapt between center and right wing also gives Toronto flexibility as they retool their top lines. While not a marquee name on the level of Marner, Roslovic has proven he can produce in the right environment — and with Toronto’s offensive weapons, that potential could be unlocked.

Insiders like Elliotte Friedman have confirmed that Toronto has already reached out to Roslovic’s camp, expressing significant interest in a multi-year deal. Reports suggest the Leafs are looking at a three-year contract in the $4.5 to $5 million AAV range — a manageable cap hit that would provide some much-needed breathing room for other roster improvements.

The team sees Roslovic as more than a stopgap solution. According to sources close to the front office, Treliving and head coach Craig Berube envision him as a “revitalized presence” on the wing — someone who, with the right linemates and system, could hit a new level of production in Toronto.

Roslovic, for his part, is reportedly intrigued by the opportunity to play in a high-profile market with a contending roster. After years of bouncing between systems and roles in Winnipeg, Columbus, and New York, a steady fit in Toronto could be the perfect launching pad for a career resurgence.

If the deal materializes, expect Roslovic to slot into a second-line role — potentially alongside John Tavares and Matthew Knies. That combination would allow Toronto to keep its top line anchored by Matthews and Nylander, while giving the second unit a serious injection of pace and creativity.

Roslovic also offers the potential to contribute on both special teams. While not known as a penalty-killer, his quickness and anticipation could give Berube options. On the power play, he’s shown flashes of skill that could make him a valuable asset as a secondary distributor or finisher.

Roslovic’s addition would also reflect a broader shift in Toronto’s cap philosophy. By moving on from Marner’s $10.9 million cap hit and replacing him with a more cost-effective winger, the Leafs can finally address areas of need that have plagued them for years — notably on defense and in goal.

Treliving has indicated that no one move will solve the team’s playoff shortcomings, but building a more balanced and resilient group is the top priority. That means less emphasis on high-salaried superstars and more on depth, character, and speed — all areas Roslovic checks off.

Still, nothing is finalized. Other teams are reportedly in the hunt for Roslovic, including the Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings. If Toronto wants to secure his services, they’ll need to act quickly and present a compelling vision for his future.

Marner’s likely departure marks the end of an era in Toronto, but also signals the beginning of a new one — one where players like Jack Roslovic could step in and redefine the team’s identity. It’s a risky shift, but one the Leafs are ready to embrace.

With Craig Berube’s system expected to emphasize forechecking, transitional play, and disciplined defense, a high-motor forward like Roslovic could thrive. If he signs, Toronto fans should expect a different kind of winger — one who brings hunger, speed, and the desire to prove himself.