Free agent Jack Roslovic changes agents after turning down reported offer from Oilers

The number of free agents remaining from this year’s class is few and far between.

One of those still looking for a home, however, is 28-year-old forward Jack Roslovic. He spent last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, putting up 22 goals and 39 points in 81 games, adding a goal and four points in their nine playoff games.

It was the second season in which he scored as many goals, following his 2021-22 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he tallied 45 points in 81 games.

And while it may be odd that he still hasn’t found a home, it hasn’t been for a lack of teams reaching out. One of those who did was the Edmonton Oilers, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported late this week.

It’s unknown what the offer was, but LeBrun reported that Roslovic is looking for more than one year on his deal, something the Oilers’ offer likely wasn’t. Still, it prompted the Columbus, Ohio native to change his agents, going from Claude Lemieux to Justin Duberman.

Maybe it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that Roslovic has struggled to find a deal with term. Evolving Hockey projected the most likely contract for him to sign in free agency was a one-year, $1.39-million contract, giving a 30 percent chance of it happening.

Roslovic has been a solid depth contributor for many years now since being drafted 25th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2015. He remained there for four years before being traded to his hometown Blue Jackets in the Patrik Laine deal, and was flipped to the New York Rangers at the 2023-24 deadline for picks.

According to Hockey Viz, Roslovic drove offence at a one percent rate below league average and defence at a seven percent rate below league average last year, with his overall contributions being of a third-to-fourth line tweener.

As LeBrun noted, it might be hard to imagine Roslovic getting term on a deal with training camps already kicking off around the NHL.