The NHL offseason is turning into a battleground as several teams collide in pursuit of a handful of free agents. The Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be targeting the same name, with neither side willing to give an inch. However, reports suggest Elias Pettersson’s team may have made a misstep that opened the door for Auston Matthews’ organization.
The Canucks have been quite busy this past month. Evander Kane headlines the roster additions for the 2025–26 NHL season. Meanwhile, on the departures list, names such as Dakota Joshua and Pius Suter lead the group.
The Maple Leafs haven’t enjoyed any less of a turbulent offseason. Matthews and the rest of the team waved goodbye to Mitch Marner, in a move that is set to be re-visited countless times throughout the upcoming campaign.
Now, both organizations have set their sights on the future—and it could be looking especially bright if they manage to sign one of the NHL’s most coveted unrestricted free agents: Jack Roslovic. On that note, the Canucks have been more active in their pursuit, but reports suggest the Leafs are still in the race and could snatch him away from Pettersson and the Canucks in British Columbia.
“[Roslovic] was expecting this to take a while,” insider Cam Robinson said on the Sekeres and Price podcast about the UFA, who’s yet to sign with a new team. “I’m not even 100% sure that [the Canucks have] put a solid offer in front of him yet.”
Keeping his options at hand
While Roslovic has drawn much interest across the league, the 28-year-old forward has seemingly decided to take his sweet time before putting pen to paper on a new contract.
Roslovic is coming off a 39-point season with the Carolina Hurricanes. The American skater is no stranger to unrestricted free agency, either. Look no further than last year’s open market, when he signed a one-year deal with the franchise in Raleigh.
On the watch
The full list of potential suitors is hard to determine. After all, several NHL franchises like to play their cards close to the vest. However, according to reports, the Canucks and Maple Leafs could be joined by another Stanley Cup contender—namely, the Colorado Avalanche.
Plan B
Obviously, the Canucks might ultimately miss out on Roslovic. Still. Pettersson may not have to spend much time crying over spilled milk. Instead, the organization—led by GM Patrik Allvin—could shift its crosshairs toward Minnesota Wild RFA Marco Rossi.
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“If it’s not Roslovic, I know the Canucks were trying to get Marco Rossi, too. Maybe there is an opportunity to circle back,” Robinson hinted about Vancouver’s shopping list.