While the major free agency signings have concluded in the NHL, several players are still seeking teams for the upcoming season.
Forward Jack Roslovic is among the most notable unsigned players. It appears that multiple teams are interested in the 28-year-old, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, as reported by Sportsnet`s Elliotte Friedman on the recent season finale of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.
Friedman commented that the connection makes sense because Roslovic previously played with Auston Matthews on the U.S. National Development Team. He added that Roslovic is a veteran right-hand shot, known to Matthews, and expressed curiosity about the potential signing.
Roslovic had a solid season with the Carolina Hurricanes, recording 22 goals and 39 points in 81 games. However, his role in the Hurricanes` playoff lineup was inconsistent, which may have affected his market value heading into free agency.
Toronto possesses the necessary salary cap flexibility to sign Roslovic, especially if he is open to a contract similar to the one-year, $2.8 million deal he had with Carolina last season.
However, one factor is creating a delay for the Leafs in potentially signing Roslovic. This situation also explains why Andrew Mangiapane ultimately signed with the Edmonton Oilers, despite Toronto`s reported interest.
Friedman explained that a reason the Leafs didn`t land Mangiapane was that they indicated a need to trade players to create space. Mangiapane was apparently unwilling to wait. Roslovic, at least for now, seems more patient, potentially waiting for the Leafs to move players like David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok.
Friedman also mentioned that the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks, and Buffalo Sabres might also be interested in signing Roslovic, who is a native of Columbus.
Oilers Pushed to Finalize Bouchard Contract
The Edmonton Oilers recognized that signing defenseman Evan Bouchard was a key priority for their offseason, but their timeline for the deal was reportedly accelerated.
According to Friedman, a threat of an offer sheet prompted general manager Stan Bowman to quickly secure the 25-year-old. Bouchard signed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $10.5 million.
Friedman specifically stated that the Carolina Hurricanes threatened the Oilers with an offer sheet for Bouchard. While the full details may become clear later, many observers expected Bouchard`s contract to be closer to four years at $9.5 million. However, his arbitration case suggested he could have commanded up to $10 million.
He suggested that Carolina`s interest and the looming offer sheet threat pushed the final contract value to $10.5 million per season. After failing to sign Bouchard, Carolina reportedly shifted focus to K`Andre Miller. The New York Rangers were aware of this situation and subsequently signed Miller to a contract that was quite similar to what an offer sheet might have looked like.
