Free Agent Profile: Jack Roslovic

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.