Roslovic’s Hot Start With Toronto Has Leafs Fans Excited, But Oilers Fans Know the Catch

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The Edmonton Oilers and Jack Roslovic went their separate ways this offseason after a productive, but ultimately uneven, one-year partnership.

Roslovic joined the Oilers on a one-year deal after the regular season had already begun and went on to post solid offensive numbers. When the games became more meaningful, however, his role began to shrink. Former Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch struggled to find consistent situations where Roslovic’s offensive skill could outweigh some of his defensive shortcomings.

In the end, Roslovic signed a two-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he now gets the opportunity to play alongside longtime friend and Team USA teammate Auston Matthews. The two have a history that dates back to their time with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and the 2015 U18 World Championship.

Roslovic Learned Valuable Lessons in Edmonton

Despite how his season ended, Roslovic had a productive year with the Oilers.

In 69 games, he scored 21 goals and added 15 assists for 36 points. He saw limited power-play usage outside of injury situations and finished with a minus-9 rating, but he still averaged 15:46 per game while spending much of the season in a second-line role.

Ahead of his return to Edmonton, Roslovic reflected on his season with the Oilers and what he learned from the organization’s culture:

“I think it was a big learning process for me, the culture was really good. I think it was the work ethic off the ice that was a big learning curve for me. I don’t want to say too many nice things, but I hope we beat them.”

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have built a culture that revolves around preparation and accountability. Their work ethic tends to influence teammates quickly, and Roslovic clearly noticed the difference.

Throughout his career, Roslovic has often been criticized for inconsistency and a lack of attention to detail away from the puck. His comments suggest that his season in Edmonton may have helped change some of those habits. If that’s the case, it’s possible the lessons he learned with the Oilers played a role in helping him secure a much larger contract with Toronto.

The Early Returns in Toronto Have Been Excellent

So far, Roslovic’s new deal looks like a smart investment for the Maple Leafs. After signing for $4 million annually following a season in Edmonton worth just $1.5 million, Roslovic has landed in an ideal situation on Toronto’s top line alongside Matthews.

He’s averaging nearly a minute more per game than he did with the Oilers, sitting at 16:30 per night, while also receiving increased power-play opportunities. Although he has recently shifted to the second power-play unit, he spent time on the top unit earlier in the season.

Through 12 games, Roslovic has recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points. That pace would put him comfortably above his career-high mark of 45 points and potentially push him toward the 70-point range.

The concern, however, has never been Roslovic’s ability to produce during the regular season. The question is whether he can continue producing once the games become tighter, more physical, and less open offensively.

Can He Finally Put It All Together?

That has been the challenge throughout Roslovic’s NHL career.

Last season with Edmonton, his playoff ice time fell to just over 13 minutes per game as coaches leaned more heavily on players they trusted defensively. The year before in Carolina, he frequently found himself watching from the press box as a healthy scratch during the playoffs.

When the intensity rises, Roslovic has historically struggled to earn the trust of his coaches. Offensive skill alone is rarely enough in the postseason, where defensive commitment, physical engagement, and consistency become increasingly important. That’s why the biggest test of his season still lies ahead.

Roslovic has looked excellent in October, and Toronto is beginning to find its footing after an uneven start. But regular-season production has never really been the issue. The real question is whether the lessons he learned in Edmonton, particularly regarding preparation and work ethic, will allow him to handle the grind of meaningful games later in the year.

If they do, the Maple Leafs could have one of the offseason’s best bargain signings on their hands. And if Roslovic can finally carry his regular-season success into the games that matter most, Toronto will have every reason to keep him in a prominent role when the stakes are at their highest.

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