Toronto Maple Leafs pursue Carolina Hurricanes free agent Jack Roslovic as Mitch Marner replacement: Report

In the wake of Mitch Marner's massive trade to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Toronto Maple Leafs are acting fast to plug the hole created on the right wing. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has shared that the organization now has its eyes on unrestricted free agent forward Jack Roslovic, most recently of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Toronto Maple Leafs target Jack Roslovic to plug scoring hole following Mitch Marner trade

Jack Roslovic, 28, is not one of the high-end names from this year's free agent class, but the Maple Leafs envision some value in his speed and playmaking—two of Mitch Marner's defining qualities. Of greater significance, Jack Roslovic personally knows star center Auston Matthews, as they played together while with the U.S. National Team Development Program. On the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman dropped the news of the increasing interest: "One guy I think the Leafs are in on is Jack Roslovic," Elliotte Friedman said.

"And it makes sense to me because he has a history with Auston Matthews. They played together at the US National Development Team. I can see this connection."

Jack Roslovic's last contract was a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Even with him playing in a middle-six role, his skating skill and offense sense might make him a fit in terms of tactics on the Maple Leafs' new-look roster. Toronto is rebuilding by committee with Marner left behind, and Roslovic might be one of the pieces of that puzzle.

However, there remains a big roadblock: the salary cap. Toronto is sitting with about $4.9 million in cap space, and Daily Faceoff reports that Roslovic will be eligible for about $4.1 million per year over a three-year contract. That would not give Toronto much room to maneuver unless they do more. They have options such as David Kampf or Calle Järnkrok to move to make room under the cap, although no trade talks have been reported so far. The Leafs were said to have had interest in high-end forwards Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers during this offseason, but since both are now gone, the team is looking at what is out there and what can be afforded.Also read: Carolina Hurricanes set to capitalize on Game 3 shutout from home crowd against Washington CapitalsJack Roslovic won't have the same level of name recognition as Mitch Marner, but his experience with Auston Matthews and the potential to fit in might be a low-risk, high-reward signing—if only Toronto can make it pencil out.