Let’s face it, the possibility of the Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine playing in an orange and black jersey this upcoming season at this point is a pipe dream; but all hope is not lost. The Jets organization has let it be known that they are willing to trade their American born 23-year-old restricted free agent (RFA) Jack Roslovic. Roslovic who stands at 6’1 and 187 pounds was Winnipeg’s 2015 1st round draft pick (the 25th selection overall). Here’s the best part though the Jets are looking to trade him for a LEFT-HANDED SHOT DEFENSEMAN!!!!!!
Since being drafted back in 2015 Jack has done nothing but improve his game. He just finished up his second full season with the Jets and is developing into quite the offensive talent. The only problem is he is currently buried by depth at his position because Roslovic plays the same wing as both Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine (who tend to demand most of the team’s ice time).
The Jets as they sit now are about $700,000 over the cap and are unwilling to spend any more money on their already gifted offense when their defense seems to be the one that is vastly in need of an upgrade.
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This is where the Flyers could look to capitalize on the misfortunes of Winnipeg and trade for this talented scoring winger who is a RFA, and made just $1.1 Million dollars last year. Re-signing this gifted young player would be still well within the Flyers means given Jack would probably only require a slight raise. Given his totals to date (26g,41a in his four year career in the NHL) the Flyers could probably re-sign him for well under $3 Million dollars a season.
Remember Roslovic has been currently receiving inadequate playing time in Winnipeg, but when given a brief opportunity during the 2018-19 season to fill in on the team’s top power play unit. He scored five goals in a very short amount of time.
Like previously mentioned the Jets are willing to trade this talented winger because they find themselves in need of a proven top four left-handed shot defenseman. Being that after the team’s number one defenseman Josh Morrissey the quality of left-hand shot defenseman within the Jets organization descends rapidly. Therefore, if no trade were to occur the Jets would be forced to choose from names like Derek Forbort, Nathan Beaulieu, Ville Heinola, Dylan Samburg, Sami Niku, or Luca Sbisa to fill in on a top four role. Most of these players listed have proven to be suited for a bottom pairing role at best, more likely most would be better used as a call-up option, or just simply not being used at all given they are a unproven prospect that doesn’t need to be rushed.
It is rumored that the Las Vegas Golden Knights and (Jack’s hometown team) the Columbus Blue Jackets have already been suspected of locking in their sights on Roslovic as a potential target to acquire. So it looks like the Flyers if they so choice are set to enter in quite the dog fight for this highly talented rising star. Nevertheless they may just be in the “best” position
in order to acquire him. The Flyers are loaded down with left hand shot defenseman not only on the current NHL roster but in their system as well. Now given Winnipeg’s demands the player they may be after in return would be none other than the Flyers Travis Sanheim; seeing how Travis would undoubtedly be able to step into the role of one of the Jets second pairing defense next season.
Now this may cause many Flyers fans to cringe being that Sanheim is rather promising; but remember Travis is set to be up for a new contract and most likely a raise after next season. This being the same off season that the phenomenal Carter Hart will be due quite the hefty raise! Lucky for the Flyers even if they decided against trading Sanheim they could still manage to possibly get a deal done that would allow them to acquire this shoot first winger Philadelphia so urgently needs. Besides Sanheim the Flyers have left hand shot defenseman like Shayne Gostisbehere, and Robert Hagg who they could offer up. Not to mention the guys who they could throw into a trade to sweeten the deal with say Gostisbehere with the multitude of left hand shot prospects within the teams’ system already with names like Sam Morin, Egor Zamula, Emil Andrae, Mason Millman, and Philadelphia’s 2019 1st round pick Cameron York.
With that being said I think the offensively driven Jets would benefit from having a player like Gostisbehere running their power unit from the point and thus could be easily persuaded to agree to a deal for Roslovic via a package of Shayne Gostisbehere (who would benefit from a change of scenery anyway) and say their choice of the Flyers promising left-hand
shoot defensive prospects Cameron York OR Mason Millman. Whether the Flyers would have to retain some of Shayne’s salary for the duration of his
contract is something that the two general managers would have to decided on, but it might be worth it from a Flyers prospective if they could bring in a player with such promise as Jack Roslovic. A player who could easily slot in alongside Nolan Patrick/Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee for years to come.
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I would trade Ghost for Roslovic in a heart beat, and give them Rubtsov and Laberge to sweeten this deal, cause both Robtsov and Laberge were high picks and thus should have trade value left in them!
I’d trade Cameron York AND Shane Gostisbehere for Roslovic. That should get it done. I done think Ghost would be enough and York is a question mark. Both players are small, but great offensively. Both players are a liability on defense due to their lack of size and physicality. Gregg Lorenz, Bucks County Pa