Leafs’ Matthews, Roslovic recount ‘Superman line’ with Matthew Tkachuk

Team U.S.A. let their offensive ability shine in their 5-1 win over Latvia. Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Auston Matthews of United States celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Matthew Tkachuk of United States against Latvia in men's ice hockey group C play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Leafs’ Matthews, Roslovic recount ‘Superman line’ with Matthew Tkachuk

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Ryan Cuneo | Last updated Sep 18, 2026 1:54 PM ET

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There’s been plenty of speculation as to what exactly a revamped Toronto Maple Leafs team will look like coming into the 2026-27 season. A handful of the team’s fixtures remain, including centers Auston Matthews and John Tavares, along with wingers William Nylander and Matthew Knies. The rest of the roster, though, has undergone a makeover under new general manager John Chayka.

So when the Leafs took to the ice on Thursday for their first practice of the season, a lot of questions about how new head coach Jim Hiller envisions the team’s lineup were answered. Skating with Matthews on Toronto’s top line was Knies, a frequent running mate of Matthews over the past couple of years, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Jack Roslovic, one of many newcomers acquired by Toronto in the offseason.

Leafs Group 1 lines:

Knies-Matthews-Roslovic
McKenna-Tavares-Nylander
Paul-Sissons-Cowan
Duhaime-Blueger-Lorentz
Joshua

McCabe-Tanev
OEL-Raddysh
Andrae-Danford
Stecher-Blankenburg

Bobrovsky
Stolarz
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) September 17, 2026

Roslovic, 29, may not jump out as a surefire first-liner, coming off a season of 21 goals and 15 assists for 36 points in 69 games for the Edmonton Oilers last season. He does, however, have experience playing with Matthews. The new teammates in Toronto formed a line with Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk during their time together on the U.S. National Under-18 Team.

“We used to call ourselves the Superman line in junior,” Matthews told the media on Friday.

Roslovic went on to explain the origins of the ‘Superman line’ moniker.

“I think it was the Cam Newton era,” Roslovic said. “You know, ripping the jersey open and it’s an ‘S’. It was jokes.”

Matthews and Roslovic may have taken inspiration from the former Carolina Panthers quarterback’s signature ‘Superman’ celebration back in the day. But now, they’re hoping to tap back into that chemistry to revive their joint superpowers.

“It’s exciting to have him on the team here to play with him and be around him again and hang out,” Matthews said of Roslovic. “He’s a blast to be around. He’s funny. He’s always got something on the go.”

Matthews and Roslovic may have been on the ‘Superman line’ in the past, but don’t expect them to bring back the gimmick this season, at least not when they’re playing Tkachuk’s Panthers.

“He told us if we played against them and scored and did the ‘Superman’ celly, he was going to kill one of us,” Matthews said of Tkachuk.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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