What Can Maple Leaf Fans Expect From Nicolas Roy?

This would indicate he is a defensive-minded playmaker who can be effective in a depth role as a third-line centre. He could be someone who gets a look on the penalty kill with the Maple Leafs next season, and with how solid he is in that regard, he could help them improve.

His offensive style isn’t something that has stood out as his strong suit, but he can still create opportunities for himself and his teammates in the right situation.

Roy’s Point Production & Value in the Postseason

Last season, Roy scored 15 goals and added 16 assists for 31 points through 71 games. Throughout his career, he has scored 68 goals and added 98 assists for 166 points through 369 games, which comes out to a 0.45 points-per-game average. In the playoffs last season, he scored two goals and added two assists for four points through 11 games. In 79 career playoff games, he has scored 10 goals and added 22 assists for 32 points.

Roy won’t blow anyone away with his point production, and he won’t directly replace Marner’s 102-point production from last season, but being able to score 15 goals and notch 30 points at a consistent pace from season to season is exactly what any team should be looking for, and that’s exactly what he will be able to produce.

Fans around the league have been concerned with how the Maple Leafs have performed in the postseason over the last few seasons, and adding someone like Roy, who has proven his worth as a two-way forward in the playoffs, is a move that should make fans more confident when the playoffs roll around.

He brings a physical style of play to the playoffs and seems to be able to elevate his play at both ends when the postseason rolls around, which is something the Maple Leafs desperately need.

Top-Six Forward or Bottom-Six Forward?

In terms of what role he will play next season, I would assume he starts as the third-line centre, but could get a look on the second line as the season moves along. He has flourished in a depth role previously, and I would assume the Maple Leafs had that in mind when they acquired him, but with the changes they’ve made and all of the new players they have brought in, they may scramble the lineup until they figure out something that works, and that includes moving Roy around.

Roy’s $3 million cap hit makes him a valuable asset that any team would love to have, and having two years left on his contract gives the Maple Leafs some flexibility on how they go about making additions, depending on how the 2025-26 campaign turns out.

The Maple Leafs have done a good job bringing in new pieces to help them remain in contention after the loss of Marner, but they might still be in tough in terms of the postseason. They are in a tough division and have to rely on all of their moves this offseason to pan out the way they hope.

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Salary cap data courtesy of PuckPedia.