Columbus Blue Jackets trade Jack Roslovic to New York Rangers
The empty-net goal Jack Roslovic scored Thursday night at Nationwide Arena was a nice way to end his Blue Jackets career.
Roslovic, 27, was dealt to the New York Rangers shortly before the 3 p.m. trade deadline Friday for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. Should the Rangers make the Stanley Cup Final, the pick improves to a 2026 third-round selection.
“It’s been amazing,” Roslovic said of playing four seasons with his hometown NHL team. “There’s a little bit of pressure with it, for sure. It’s been more pressure on myself to perform than anything else, a lot of internal pressure to play well and try to fit into a place for a long time and be a part of a puzzle long-term, but it’s been amazing. I love it. It’s an experience that ― I don’t know how many people have done it before ― but I don’t think it’s many. So, it’s been awesome.”
Roslovic was acquired along with Patrik Laine in January 2021 in a deal that sent former center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Winnipeg Jets along with a draft pick. His time with the Blue Jackets was turbulent, with stretches of a great play along with tough times.
He played on all four lines, skating at center and wing, and most recently played right wing on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner. Roslovic’s goal Thursday to seal the win over Edmonton was his sixth of the season, giving him 23 points when combined with his 17 assists in 40 games.
Roslovic missed close to six weeks with a fractured ankle that happened, coincidentally, Nov. 12 against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. He was struck in the foot blocking a shot in the first period and finished the game, hobbling out of the arena on his own power.
Through his four seasons with the Blue Jackets, Roslovic contributed 51-95-146 in 246 games. That included setting career-highs in goals (22) and points (45) in 2021-22 under former coach Brad Larsen, which earned the speedy forward a two-year contract extension worth $4 million per season.
According to Cap Friendly, Roslovic has $854,167 remaining on his deal. The Blue Jackets will pick up a percentage of it, but that amount has yet to be released. Roslovic is also a pending unrestricted free agent, which means he could hit the open market July 1 if New York doesn’t re-sign him.
As for leaving Columbus, where he played for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets development program, Roslovic said he’ll still be around during summers. He also has his own foundation named “Rosie’s Gear for Goals,” which works to help alleviate financial strains for youth players needing assistance to keep playing hockey. Roslovic’s charitable work also earned him the 2021-22 Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Community MVP Award.
“Even when I was in Winnipeg, it was my goal to start a foundation here,” Roslovic said. “Throughout my four years here, I did start a foundation. Throughout the four years here, I did raise a lot of money and raise awareness. Whether I’m playing here or not, this community is everything to me. It’s home. I’m always around, always at the local rinks. Whether I’m here or not playing, I’ll always be there and I’ll always be back.”
Get more Columbus Blue Jackets talk on the Cannon Fodder podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets deal Roslovic to Rangers for draft 2026 draft pick
