When Jack Roslovic spent training camp skating alone at home waiting for a phone call, few could have predicted the impact he would have in Edmonton.
The 29-year-old forward signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Oilers on Oct. 8, the second day of the NHL season, after going unsigned as an unrestricted free agent. He has since become one of the team’s most reliable contributors, posting 26 points on 16 goals and 10 assists in 50 games with minimal power-play time.
“From my time with him, he’s exceeded expectations,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “I can’t recall too many games where he’s off.”
Roslovic had put up 39 points in 81 games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season, making his lengthy wait for a contract offer something of a surprise. Edmonton general manager Stan Bowman acknowledged at the time that the one-year deal was all the club could afford under the cap. The Oilers have gotten plenty in return.
Knoblauch praised Roslovic’s versatility, noting that he has filled roles up and down the lineup, handled checking assignments and never complained about limited power-play opportunities.
“You ask him to fill a role and he does it,” Knoblauch said. “He wants to have a successful season and he wants to help this team win.”
Roslovic has thrived playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and credits the winning culture in Edmonton for bringing out the best in the roster.
“It’s crazy to see two guys that are so great at the sport,” Roslovic said. “They set an awesome standard here and it really helps everyone want to be better.”
The Oilers have work to do in the Pacific Division standings. Edmonton sits third at 30-25-8, four points behind the Vegas Golden Knights and five back of the first-place Anaheim Ducks. The club opens a four-game road trip Sunday night against Vegas, followed by stops in Colorado, Dallas and St. Louis.
Roslovic, a first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2015 who has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers, is in his ninth full NHL season. He was part of New York’s run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2024 and is eager to go deeper this time around.
“I think if we can stay in that picture, we have a chance,” he said. “We are a very good team.”
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