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Former Rangers flop blossoming into ‘everyday player’ with Maple Leafs
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- Former Rangers flop blossoming into ‘everyday player’ with Maple Leafs
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Jack Roslovic is a few seasons removed from a brief — and rather unremarkable — stint with the New York Rangers.
General manager Chris Drury acquired the then-27-year-old forward from the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, seeking a complement to Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on New York's top line.
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It didn't quite pan out that way. Roslovic recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in 19 regular-season games, and another eight points (two goals, six assists) in 16 postseason games. The Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final, but by the end of the series, coach Peter Laviolette demoted Roslovic to the fourth line, while another deadline acquisition, Alex Wennberg , skated alongside Kreider and Zibanejad. The Rangers lost the best-of-7 series in six games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Roslovic missed the net on a wide open net. #NYR pic.twitter.com/7Cn7DrREaA
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) June 2, 2024
Three seasons later, Roslovic is enjoying the top-line success the Rangers hoped to see — just in a different Original 6 sweater. The 30-year-old signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in July following a pair of 20-goal seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers respectively in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Through 15 games this season, he's among the League's most pleasant surprises.
Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller stapled Roslovic to captain Auston Matthews on Toronto's top line, leaning into their pre-existing chemistry from their days as linemates with USA Hockey's national development team. The results have followed.
Roslovic ranks third on the Maple Leafs with six goals and 15 assists, behind only Matthews and star winger William Nylander in each category. He's currently on pace for 33 goals and 84 points this season, both of which would shatter his previous career highs (22 goals, 45 points).
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The bulk of that production has come in the past two weeks. A one-goal, two-assist effort on Oct. 20 against the Blue Jackets kicked off a five-game active point streak for Roslovic, who has recorded three goals and nine points in that span.
And with winger Kirill Marchenko sidelined week to week after sustaining a lower-body injury Monday, Roslovic takes on an expanded offensive role. He joined Toronto's top power-play unit in place of Marchenko on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken and recorded a secondary assist on Gavin McKenna's power-play goal in the second period.
"A few nights ago in Columbus, I said that was the best game I've ever seen him play," Hiller said Saturday after a 7-2 win over the Oilers. "I've watched him play in the League many nights, and he's been good, and some nights I didn't notice him as much. He's really turned into an everyday player, every night. It's just great to see."
Former Rangers forward Jack Roslovic reaping benefits of Auston Matthews connection
Perry Nelson-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
So why has Roslovic enjoyed the success that eluded him with the Rangers, despite slotting into a similar role with the Maple Leafs? Hiller credits his seamless transition to a strong rapport with Matthews.
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"I think in large part the relationship he has with Auston — I think that's a really important part of it."
Roslovic and Matthews spent two seasons together as teammates with the National Team Development Program (NTDP). In 2013-14, Roslovic, Matthews, and Matthew Tkachuk dubbed themselves the "Superman Line", inspired by quarterback Cam Newton's signature touchdown celebration with the Carolina Panthers.
Thus far, the reunion has benefitted both of them. Matthews is fourth among all NHL skaters with 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists). This after slumping to a career-low 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) last season.
"It's been awesome to play with him," Roslovic said last week at practice . "He's opportunistic. He's got that ability to game-break, and it's been fun to watch him do it on a nightly basis."
Matthews with the LOOONG flip pass to Easton Cowan whose rebound is BURIED by Jack Roslovic 🫨
LEAFS LEAD 🚨 pic.twitter.com/TNrtRX8mB2— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 24, 2026
For the most part, it hasn't mattered who plays alongside Roslovic and Matthews. The underlying metrics are encouraging across the board.
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Roslovic, Matthews, and Marchenko posted a team-best 72.3 percent expected-goal share in more than 61 minutes together, according to Money Puck . Hiller also deployed McKenna, the 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick, and 2023 first-rounder Easton Cowan on the top line, with both trios eclipsing a 55 percent expected-goal share.
It should come as no surprise that the Maple Leafs rank fifth League-wide with 3.73 goals per game. They'll have their work cut out in a stacked Atlantic Division, but so far, general manager John Chayka has reason to be proud of his first offseason in Toronto. And that includes bringing in a far better version of Roslovic than the one the Rangers acquired three seasons ago.
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