It’s no secret the Vancouver Canucks have a big void to fill at the center position. Despite Elias Pettersson‘s presence on the lineup, the rest of the lines miss such talent in the middle of the ice. However, reports indicate the organization is backing down from the race for UFA Jack Roslovic. Such a stance could pave the way for Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs to pounce ahead of the NHL season.
The 2025-26 NHL regular season is approaching and every team is looking to make the final tweaks to their opening night roster. The Canucks and Maple Leafs rarely see eye-to-eye, but can share feelings now. Both Canadian sides need to address areas in their top-six.
While Matthews and the Buds mostly need someone to replace Mitch Marner with, Pettersson and the Canucks are missing depth at the center position. Thus, it didn’t take a genius to figure Roslovic could be useful for both teams. However, both Vancouver and Toronto are taking their sweet time. As it turns out, the Canucks are apparently giving up on their pursuit.
“At this point, the Canucks have cooled significantly on the prospect of adding Roslovic as an unrestricted free agent,” as reported by The Athletic’s Thomas Drance.
Jack Roslovic #96 of the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center at Lenovo Center on May 10, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Plan B
While Roslovic might no longer be in their sight, the Canucks aren’t giving up on their plan to acquire a center, though. Simply put: Vancouver is leaving the free agency market unattended, instead exploring the trade route to help out Pettersson and company.
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“Vancouver is still in the market to land a center, but the trade market is viewed as a more likely and realistic route of addressing the club’s greatest remaining need,” Drance added. “The club is actively kicking tires and exploring its options. Vancouver would execute a trade today if the deal returned a credible middle-six centre.”
When speaking of NHL centermen who could be moved for the right price, it’s hard to overlook the Anaheim Ducks’ saga involving RFA Mason McTavish. Though the Ducks remain firm on their stance to re-sign him, it wouldn’t hurt for the Canucks to knock on GM Pat Verbeek’s door.
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on October 18, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Far from guaranteed
The Canucks’ reported decision to steer away from Roslovic leaves the door open for Matthews and the Maple Leafs, but it’s not a gimme either. Toronto has some work to do cap-wise. The Buds currently have $1.9 million available in salary cap space.
It’s highly unlikely Roslovic signs for such a low contract after the year he had in Carolina. And even if he did, the Leafs would be left with no flexibility to make moves during the season. Therefore, the Maple Leafs would first have to part ways with some other assets in Hogtown.
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Namely, the main trade chips in Toronto are Nick Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok, and David Kampf. Their departures would be the signal for the Buds to pounce on Roslovic—if he is still unsigned by then.
