When Jack Roslovic took the ice for his first Edmonton Oilers practice, it wasn’t just a new player joining a contender; it was the culmination of one of the longest, most uncertain summers of his career.
The 27-year-old winger, who remains unsigned deep into the training camp season, admits the wait hasn’t been easy. “It wasn’t fun,” said Roslović with a wry grin after training. “But you learn how to push and be your own driver – drive your own car.”
That sentence – drive your own car – could ultimately define his second act in the NHL. Roslovic, who scored 22 goals last year, stayed sharp on his own while others reported to camp, skated daily and prepared for the right fit. The Oilers, juggling injuries and looking for speed on the wing, had been eyeing him for most of the offseason but were limited by their budget. Roslovic was looking for a certain type of deal with an NHL team. It never came, and when it did, it came from a team he wasn’t happy with. That meant leaving money on the table to join the Oilers.
Now Roslovic arrives in Edmonton determined to do something about it. “It’s great to be in a place where you’re wanted and they see a match in that,” he said. “Make plays, be a good guy in the locker room, take care, don’t disrupt and gel.”
Head coach Kris Knoblauch doesn’t expect him to rush into the lineup, but hinted that Roslovic will get a look on the wing when he’s ready – perhaps even alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
“It’s fun to see those guys going to work,” Roslovic said. “I’ve seen it before, but these are of a different caliber.”
For the Oilers, Roslovic’s story isn’t just about opportunity. It’s about making amends after thinking one thing would happen and then discovering something else was the reality of his situation. His summer didn’t go as he expected, but he is now ready to make sure his patience is rewarded.
Next: Four teams shifting their focus after McDavid’s Oilers expansion
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