How Can Maple Leafs Fans Not Appreciate Nicolas Roy?

Sometimes, it doesn’t take long for a player to win over a new fan base. In fact, sometimes all it takes is saying the right thing at the right time. In his very first media appearance as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nicolas Roy did exactly that.

Roy Made a First Impression That Mattered

Roy didn’t dance around the obvious. As the lone player coming back in the sign-and-trade deal that sent Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, he stepped into a high-pressure spotlight. But instead of flinching, the 28-year-old center leaned in.

“I want to be part of a team that’s winning,” Roy said. “And watching the playoffs last year, the Panthers were the biggest challenge to the Leafs—and this team is ready to win right now.”

Right there, he struck a chord. He acknowledged the weight of expectations, pointed out Toronto’s playoff potential, and aligned himself with that urgency. Maple Leafs fans have heard plenty of scripted answers. This didn’t sound like one.

Roy Game Maple Leafs Fans a Home-Run Quote

If there’s one way to guarantee cheers in Toronto, it’s by referencing a beloved Maple Leafs captain. And sure enough, Roy dropped the name that instantly closes the gap between past and present: Mats Sundin.

Raised in Amos, Quebec—more than six hours north of Montreal and five hours from Sudbury—Roy somehow grew up a Maple Leafs fan. In Habs territory, that’s not just unusual. That’s legendary. As he shared, Sundin was his hockey hero.

If 90 percent of Leafs Nation didn’t already like him, that quote probably did the trick.

Roy Might Become More Than Just a Great Interview

Of course, quotes don’t win games. Fortunately, Roy brings more than a charming soundbite. Last season with Vegas, he posted 15 goals and 16 assists in 71 games—good for 31 points—while averaging just over 15 minutes a night.

He finished with 72 hits and 47 blocked shots, proving he’s not afraid to get into the dirty areas and contribute on the defensive side of the puck. His 47.7 percent faceoff win rate was solid, and he filled in reliably when the Golden Knights were hit by injuries. Gritty, versatile, and calm under pressure—Roy’s style seems tailor-made for the Maple Leafs’ middle six.