Toronto Maple Leafs

Roslovic Gets the First Shot With Matthews, But It’s Not Gifted

Jack Roslovic has the early edge beside Auston Matthews, but Easton Cowan could make the Maple Leafs’ top-line decision interesting.

by
Old Prof
September 17, 2026

The first day of training camp gave the Toronto Maple Leafs an interesting storyline right away: Jack Roslovic and Easton Cowan could be fighting for the same kind of opportunity.

Roslovic started camp on the top line with Auston Matthews, which immediately gives him an advantage. He has speed, experience and the kind of offensive ability that can make a line more dangerous when he’s feeling confident. He also already has a connection with Matthews from their days together in the U.S. National Team Development Program.

Matthews made it pretty clear that he’s excited about the reunion. He talked about how close the two have stayed, how much fun Roslovic is to be around and how naturally their chemistry might come back. That’s all encouraging for Roslovic, especially with the chance to play alongside Toronto’s best player sitting right in front of him.

Roslovic Might Have the Early Edge, But Playing with Matthews Won’t Be a Gift

But he won’t be handed the job. Easton Cowan will have something to say about that. The 21-year-old had a promising rookie season, scoring 11 goals and 29 points in 66 games. Those numbers were solid enough on their own, but Cowan really started to turn heads during the Marlies’ Calder Cup run. He played with confidence, looked comfortable in crucial situations and showed why Toronto still sees him as one of its more exciting young players.

That confidence could carry over into camp. Cowan also brings something Roslovic doesn’t quite offer in the same way. He is more dependable defensively and can probably move around the lineup without causing the coaching staff to worry too much. If Toronto needs someone who can contribute offensively but still be trusted in tougher minutes, Cowan has a strong argument.

Experience or Energy: Who Gets the Job with Matthews?

Roslovic, meanwhile, brings more experience and potentially more immediate offence. He can create a spark, push the pace and give Matthews another quick player to work with. The question is whether he can stay consistent enough to hold onto that role.

That’s what makes this battle so important. It isn’t only about who starts on the top line during the first week of camp. It’s about what kind of team the Maple Leafs want to be.

Do they go with the veteran who might provide more offence right away? Or do they give the young player a bigger opportunity and trust his confidence will keep growing? The answer may change from night to night. But if Cowan pushes Roslovic hard, that is a very good problem for Toronto to have.