Former Rangers Forward Signs with Metropolitan Division Rival
Jack Roslovic’s journey through the Metropolitan Division continues with a new chapter. The former New York Rangers forward, who also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, has signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Roslovic, 27, accepted a significant pay cut after several days in free agency. He previously signed a two-year, $8 million contract with an average annual value of $4 million with the Blue Jackets on June 7, 2022. Despite inconsistent performance and a drop in production with New York and Columbus last season, Carolina plans to utilize Roslovic in a top-six role.
“Jack is a dynamic player who has been an offensive contributor for his entire career,” said Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky. “Adding another right-handed playmaker capable of injecting speed and skill into the lineup will provide a boost to our forward group.”
Roslovic’s potential has often outshone his actual output. In seven NHL seasons with the Rangers, Blue Jackets, and Winnipeg Jets, he scored over 20 goals only once (22 with the Blue Jackets in 2021-22) and never more than 12 in any other season.
Acquired by the Rangers before the 2024 NHL trade deadline, Roslovic recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in 19 games. Playing primarily as the top-line right wing with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, he struggled to secure his spot. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he started strong with points in each of the first five games, including two power-play goals in the first round against the Washington Capitals. However, he managed only three assists for the remainder of the postseason.
By the time the Rangers were eliminated in six games by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, Roslovic had been relegated to the fourth line. He finished the postseason with eight points (two goals, six assists) in 16 games.
The Rangers did not make a significant effort to re-sign Roslovic. Instead, they focused on finding a better fit alongside Zibanejad and Kreider, ultimately trading for veteran forward Reilly Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Smith, along with youngsters Brennan Othmann and Will Cuylle, will compete for the right-side spot on the top line. Kaapo Kakko might also get another opportunity.
Roslovic will likely play as a top-nine or even top-six forward in Carolina. He joins William Carrier, Tyson Jost, and Eric Robinson as middle-six forwards signed by the Hurricanes in free agency. Carolina lost forward Teuvo Teravainen to the Chicago Blackhawks and restricted free agent Martin Necas, who filed for arbitration and reportedly seeks a trade. The Hurricanes also lost defensemen Brett Pesce to the New Jersey Devils and former Blueshirt Brady Skjei to the Nashville Predators. To fill these gaps, Carolina signed free agents Shayne Gostisbehere and Sean Walker.
In his latest move, Roslovic, who combined for nine goals and 31 points in 59 games with the Rangers and Blue Jackets last season, hopes to make a significant impact with the Hurricanes.
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