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Knoblauch wants Oilers’ Jack Roslovic in the top-six. Is that the right move?
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Jan 2, 2026, 11:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 2, 2026, 11:41 EST
It seems like the Edmonton Oilers’ top-six is about to be cemented.
After Wednesday’s 6-2 defeat to the Boston Bruins, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch addressed the media in his post-game presser. When asked if Jack Roslovic was more dangerous in a top six role on the wing, Knoblauch had this to say:
“Yeah, it looks like we need him playing in the top-six. Having him up there being more dangerous, giving [Draisaitl] a little more support, I think that’s important. As much as we want to get a third line and get something rolling there, having your best player supported with good players is something we have to look at. In the third period, Roslovic had some good looks with [Draisaitl], moving forward, it’s something we’ll probably need to do.”
Roslovic started centring the third line in Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames, but wound up spending more time on the second line than the third, but in Wednesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, he stuck with Trent Frederic and Mattias Janmark. Against Boston Wednesday, he was with Janmark and Matt Savoie, however, he was elevated to play alongside Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin in the third period, even scoring a goal. Roslovic was signed early into the season and has been a bright spot for the team. Through 28 games, the right-shot forward has 12 goals and 20 points in 28 games.
That said, the underlying metrics for the Podkolzin, Draisaitl, and Roslovic line haven’t been great. During five-on-five play, the trio have played 150 minutes and have controlled a solid 61.5 percent of the goal share, but their expected goal share of 44.4 percent isn’t encouraging. They’re outshooting opponents, but have given up 34 high-danger chances while generating just 18 of their own. All of this information comes courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
While Roslovic was injured, Savoie filled in alongside Podkolzin and Draisaitl. That trio has 85.7 percent of the goals during five-on-five play, with a share of 57.3 percent of the expected goals. In just 102 minutes of ice-time, the trio of Podkolzin, Draisaitl, and Savoie have 24 high-danger chances while giving up just 19 high-danger opportunities.
A lot has been made of Savoie’s one point in his last seven games, but the trio have only played 23:49 five-on-five minutes together in that span. It’s worth noting that this is Savoie’s first season in the NHL, aside from five games the past two seasons, so there’ll be slumps. Still, he’s had strong metrics with the second line, and that shouldn’t be broken up.
This isn’t to say Roslovic doesn’t deserve to be on the Oilers’ roster, far from it. His 12 goals is tied for the most for the Oilers from players not named Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. That said, he’s not a fit for the Oilers’ top-six. Him centring the third line has the added benefit of giving the Oilers some scoring depth in the bottom-six, something that has been missing all season.
In a perfect world, the Oilers will acquire a legitimate third line centre before the March 6 trade deadline and call up either Isaac Howard or Quinn Hutson to play alongside Roslovic and the trade deadline acquisition. If they can pull that off, their top-nine suddenly is full of scoring options.
There’s no doubt that Roslovic will jump into the top six for the upcoming games, but moves have to be made to address their bottom six before the trade deadline.
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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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