Columbus Blue Jackets: Jack Roslovic is underrated piece of blockbuster trade
Jack Roslovic is a very underrated piece of the blockbuster trade that went down between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Winnipeg Jets.
It has been a day in the National Hockey League with the Columbus Blue Jackets sending Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 Third-Round pick to the Winnipeg Jets for elite forward Patrik Laine and center Jack Roslovic, a deal that sent true seismic waves through the hockey world.
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There is a lot to unpack from this huge trade and we’ve looked at it from the perspectives of the Winnipeg Jets and the Columbus Blue Jackets, but now we are going to take a deep dive into the less-heralded aspect of this deal.
While the Laine aspect of the trade will generate the most headlines in Columbus and rightly so given the forward’s considerable talents, Jack Roslovic is also a significant piece of this deal and he will be a very valuable asset for the Blue Jackets.
A Columbus native, Roslovic remained home throughout the offseason and Training Camp after refusing to sign an extension with Winnipeg, and he has since signed a two-year, $3,800,000 contract with the Blue Jackets. The 23-year-old wanted a bigger role with the Jets but wasn’t granted that wish, hence his desire to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
Jack Roslovic could prove to be a secret weapon for the Columbus Blue Jackets
And that’s why this could turn out to be a perfect fit for both parties. Because, not only is Roslovic from Columbus, but he will benefit from the fact that the Blue Jackets aren’t as rich in offensive depth and strength up the middle as the Jets are, so the right shot will get plenty of opportunities to prove his worth in his hometown.
Roslovic was stuck on the third-line in Columbus despite recording career-highs in goals (12), assists (17) and points (29) in 2019-20, while he also achieved career-highs in ATOI (14:54) and hits (58). Basically, Roslovic felt his development deserved a much bigger role and he should now get that with the Blue Jackets.
Still young at 23-years-old and with plenty of room to grow and further develop and hone his craft, Roslovic could cement himself in a top-six role for Columbus now that Pierre-Luc Dubois is gone, perhaps forming a one-two punch behind Max Domi down the middle.
That will certainly be the hope of the Blue Jackets who need an added scoring punch and, while Patrik Laine is more of a finished product, Roslovic should only get better and his speed and skill will add a different dynamic to this Columbus Blue Jackets offense.
Able to also play on the wing, the 25th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft will be expected to develop into a long-term No. 2 center for the Blue Jackets and he certainly boasts the skill needed to make an impact in that role and also change a game in an instant.
Next. Columbus Blue Jackets get premier talent in Patrik Laine. dark
He can make plays, contribute offensively and there is no doubt that Jack Roslovic will be motivated to prove that he was right to demand a much-bigger role and that could translate to success on the ice for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who will be hoping that they acquired not one but two incredibly potent forwards in today’s blockbuster trade with the Winnipeg Jets.