Blue Jackets ink Jack Roslovic, is Patrik Laine next?
Anthony Scultore
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The Columbus Blue Jackets are quietly having a nice offseason by taking care of some housekeeping that includes signing Jack Roslovic.
On Tuesday, GM Jarmo Kekalainen announced the extension of Roslovic to a two-year deal worth $8 million ($4M AAV) through the 2023-24 season.
“Jack is an offensively gifted player with great speed and vision who has increased his production each season during his NHL career,” Kekalainen said Tuesday in a release. “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.”
Columbus signed goalie Joonas Korpisalo to a one-year deal for $1.3M AAV in late May.
Blue Jackets sign Jack Roslovic, Patrik Laine next?
Roslovic, 25, is a Columbus native, who is happy to play for his hometown team. This past season, he collected 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) in 81 games including four game-winners. His career totals with the Jets and Jackets combined are 146 points in 309 contests.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to have some security and stability in this town,” Roslovic said via NHL.com. “We’re excited and ready for the upcoming season. It’s just a great day.”
Roslovic was the 25th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, who traded him to Columbus on Jan. 23, 2021 along with Patrik Laine for Pierre Luck-Dubois.
Of course the biggest order of business the Jackets have to take care of this summer is signing RFA Patrik Laine. Not only do they need to get him under contract, they also have to buy up some of those free agent years.
Laine, 24, had a great bounce back season with 26 goals and 56 points in 56 games.
Priority No. 1 is Laine. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who made $7.5 million against the cap on a one-year deal. This season should be enough proof of concept to earn him a long-term contract as one of the Jackets’ franchise pillars, although that hasn’t materialized yet.
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Expect him to get a huge 8 year deal in the neighborhood of $9M AAV.
