After a disappointing end to his brief tenure with the New York Rangers, Jack Roslovic had to settle for a one-year prove-it deal with the Carolina Hurricanes last summer. Despite a solid rebound campaign, Roslovic is in a similar position to the one he was in last summer.
Even though plenty of teams are seeking additional center depth, Roslovic’s sporadic career may be why no team has prioritized him this offseason. After serving in a bottom-six role with the Winnipeg Jets to start his career, Roslovic became a key secondary contributor after joining his hometown Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the 2020-21 NHL season.
Before his trade to the Rangers, Roslovic scored 51 goals and 146 points in 246 games as a Blue Jacket, averaging 15:50 of ice time per game. After the Rangers acquired Roslovic at the 2023-24 trade deadline, he concluded the season with three goals and eight points in 19 games, along with another two goals and eight points in 16 playoff matches.
The Hurricanes signed Roslovic to a one-year, $2.8MM deal for the 2024-25 season, and he rewarded them well. He finished the campaign with 22 goals and 39 points in 81 games, averaging 13:49 of ice time and being a flexible option. Carolina is the first team where Roslovic averaged over a 50.0% faceoff rate, although he primarily played on the wing.
Stats
2024-25: 81 GP, 22 G, 17 A, 39 PTS, -10, 10 PIMS, 139 shots, 13:49 ATOI, 57.9 CF%
Career: 526 GP, 102 G, 158 A, 260 PTS, -37, 80 PIMS, 825 shots, 14:12 ATOI, 59.0 CF%
Potential Suitors
Assuming that most teams view Roslovic as a reliable scoring winger rather than a center at this point in his career, he should have quite a few options to pick from. The Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Blue Jackets, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Washington Capitals could all use additional depth on the right side of their forward core.
The Bruins and Maple Leafs don’t have a high amount of salary cap space left to work with. Still, it should be plenty to sign Roslovic at this point in the summer. Roslovic may have a desire to stay on the East Coast to remain close to Ohio, so the Avalanche and Kraken may be out of the question for the nine-year veteran.
Projected Contract
Before the start of free agency, ProHockeyRumors had Roslovic as the 20th-best option on the free agent market, with a projected three-year, $10.5MM contract ($3.5MM AAV). Unfortunately for our projections and more importantly, Roslovic’s earning power, he’s unlikely to receive a contract of that value this offseason.
Still, he’s not at a point where he has no leverage. As a recent 20-goal scorer, Roslovic is in a solid position to land a one-year deal in the $2MM to $3MM range. Assuming a one-year deal, he’ll enter next summer as a 29-year-old unrestricted free agent.
Photo courtesy of Perry Nelson-Imagn Images.
Roslovic has scored 20 goals in a season, Only twice, And it’s no coincidence that he did it this past season in a contract year, 3 years, At 10.5 for Roslovic going forward is ridiculous, Who comes up with these projections? I will tell you who, It’s alot of these ideotic GMs, And the latest ideotic contract handed out was the laughable Marchand deal.
So are you saying that it’s ridiculous that some team would pay him 10.5 for those 3 years or it’s ridiculous that someone would offer 3yrs, 10.5m (3.5mm aav)?
Yeah 3.5m AAV for a 20 goal scorer is really solid value.
I’m saying the three years is fine, At 2 per season, I’m also saying that these inflated money projections, Are manipulated by poor decision making by alot of GMs. Roslovic has averaged 11.3 goals per season over 9 years, So, Is he a 20 goal scorer? Or a two time 20 goal scorer? Huge difference.
I get what you’re saying now Sparky. I was confused earlier, probably didn’t help I was kinda angry at work.
You can’t take the first 3 seasons of any rookie for an average typically that production is very low. He never got any real great chances to play meaningful minutes except last season and he faired really well. I do think going forward he’s at minimum a 15 goal scorer and you can’t get any 15 goal scorer for 2M a season.
This is the kind of guy the Blackhawks should sign on a one year deal to help their forward group and possibly flip at the deadline
Very true, Roslovic, Slaggert, And Reichel. At least until Reichel is dealt.
Looking at the Preds center group, Roslovic could only help.