The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to trade away some salary so they have room to sign one of the best free agents available.
The Maple Leafs have been linked to trading the likes of Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, and Nick Robertson. If Toronto does get rid of them, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes the Maple Leafs would sign Jack Roslovic.
“I’ve heard there’s still a few teams looking at him. He’s the best available player remaining, and obviously, he hasn’t found anything he 100 percent likes,” Friedman said on 32 Thoughts about Roslovic. “But there’s definitely a few teams poking around there. I’ve heard five or six, so he has to get to something he’s comfortable with, and we know with Toronto, they’re trying to move money around.”
Roslovic completed his one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes but remains unsigned. With the Hurricanes, Roslovic recorded 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points in 81 games last season, as he is still an effective middle-six forward who can play center or the wing.
The Maple Leafs are looking to add another top-six winger, according to general manager Brad Treliving, and Roslovic fits the bill.
Insider: Ball is in Maple Leafs’ Court to Sign Roslovic
After the first wave of free agency, Roslovic remains the top forward free agent.
However, Maple Leafs insider James Mirtle of The Athletic believes the forward is very interested in signing with Toronto. Mirtle also claims the ball is in the Maple Leafs’ court if they are going to sign Roslovic.
“One player the Leafs have been connected to the past few days is Jack Roslovic. Another offense-focused winger who can play a little center,” Mirtle wrote. “He scored 22 goals for Carolina last year. But also fell out of favor as the season wore on in part due to his defensive lapses and misplays with the puck. Leading to games as a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
“I think this one is roughly 50-50 right now. But it sounds like the ball is in the Leafs’ court here. In that he’s interested in the opportunity,” Mirtle added. “And I don’t think it would cost a lot, in terms of dollars or term.”
Roslovic could add some much-needed secondary scoring to the lineup and play on the second or third line for the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs Trying to Trade 2 Forwards
Toronto was linked to buying out Jarnkrok and Kampf this offseason, but that didn’t happen.
However, the Maple Leafs held onto them and could look to trade instead. Yet, NHL insider David Pagnotta revealed that the Maple Leafs aren’t getting much trade interest on either player.
“As the Leafs try to shed salary and create roster space for other moves, Jarnkrok joins Kampf and Robertson on the Summer Trade Watch List,” Pagnotta wrote. “He has a $2.1M cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list. The market hasn’t been vibrant, to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.”
Jarnkrok is entering the final year of his four-year, $8.4 million deal. He recorded 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points in 19 games last season.
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