Maple Leafs in Tight Race as Competition Heats Up For Top Free Agent Target

The Toronto Maple Leafs have long had interest in free agent forward Jack Roslovic, but they're not the only ones looking to sign him, and based on a recent report, competition is expected to heat up shortly.

The Vancouver Canucks are one of a few teams that have competing interests with the Maple Leafs over Roslovic and there are reportedly several others in the running, according to Cam Robinson from Elite Prospects.

The Maple Leafs' interest in Roslovic has been a long-standing one as they've kicked tires on the 28-year-old forward since the beginning of free agency. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman alluded to the idea that Roslovic was willing to wait for Toronto to finish up their business before they pivoted back to him due to his pre-existing relationship with captain Auston Matthews.

Roslovic has ties to the Leafs that extends to his time in the U.S. National Team Development Program with Matthews, as well as a couple of years in Columbus with Max Domi.

The Leafs have been in business for a forward for quite some time despite their acquisitions of Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, Nic Roy, and Michael Pezzetta. Roslovic would give them another utility forward, who could slide in on any line, and play either the centre or wing positions.

Robinson mentioned earlier that Roslovic's camp is looking for a 2 or 3-year deal with an AAV somewhere around $3 million, which can be achieved by the Canucks, however the same can't necessarily be said about the Leafs.

Toronto currently has $2.93 million to play with, as well as Nicholas Robertson's potential salary award with his arbitration hearing that is set for the 3rd of August.

They'd have to move a contract like David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok to alleviate cap space, but that's a lot easier said than done based on recent reports that the trade market is ice cold at the moment.

With August right around the corner, plenty of teams will be pivoting back to the free agent market for standard contracts and PTOs. Roslovic's name will be at the top of many lists, so expect the Leafs to be in the thick of things for the Columbus, Ohio native.