Blue Jackets’ Jack Roslovic Agrees to a Two-Year, $8 Million Contract Extension
Jack Roslovic is staying in Columbus with the Blue Jackets for at least the next two seasons.
The 6’1” forward has agreed to a two-year, $8-million contract extension, the club announced on Tuesday. His deal will run through 2023-24 and carries a $4 million cap hit per season.
In a press release, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen issued a statement, saying “Jack is an offensively gifted player with great speed and vision who has increased his production each season during his NHL career.
“He has made great strides in his all-around game, especially during this past season, and we are very pleased that he will continue to be an important part of our team as we move forward,” said Kekalainen.
Roslovic, 25, completed his two-year, $3.8-million contract this past season and was originally slated to become a restricted free agent this summer. Now, he isn’t scheduled to hit the open market until ‘24, when he’ll gain unrestricted free-agent status for the first time.
Columbus acquired Roslovic, along with forward Patrik Laine, from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for centre Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 third-round pick on Jan. 23, 2021. A trade that has since worked out well for both franchises.
The Columbus, Ohio native previously refused to play another game for Winnipeg and demanded to be traded after voicing his displeasure regarding his role on the team.
During his inaugural campaign, Roslovic logged 16:54 minutes of ice-time per game across 48 contests. In total, he posted 12 goals and 34 points with the Blue Jackets. He also recorded 85 shots on goal, 34 hits, 22 blocks, 19 takeaways and a 39.1 percent face-off percentage.
Unfortunately, the team struggled to a miserable 18-26-12 record during the 56-game shortened schedule, placing them tied for last in the Central Division with 48 points.
The following season, Roslovic missed just a single game, appearing in 81 regular-season contests. The right-hander registered new career-highs in goals (22), points (45), shots on goal (131) hits (60), takeaways (32) and blocks (25).
Despite his impressive efforts, Columbus finished 19 points behind the final wild-card seed in the East, with a 37-38-7 record and 81 points. The franchise has missed the playoffs in two straight seasons since their most recent berth in ‘20.
For his career, Roslovic has scored 60 goals and 146 points across 309 regular-season games. He’s produced five assists in 20 career post-season contests, all with the Jets.
The Blue Jackets are expected to feature approximately $22.8 million in cap space for next season, and have six skaters from last season’s roster headed for restricted free agency. That list includes Laine, Emil Bemström, Carson Meyer, Adam Boqvist, Nick Blankenburg and Gabriel Carlsson.
After failing to qualify for the playoffs once again, Columbus will surely be looking to bolster its core over the off-season in hopes of snapping the franchise’s two-year drought in 2022-23.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85