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Why Jack Roslovic has been an excellent fit for the Oilers
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Photo credit: © Stephen Brashear-Imagn Image
NHL_Sid
Nov 12, 2025, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 12, 2025, 13:08 EST
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In general, the Edmonton Oilers have had yet another underwhelming start to the season. In particular, their offensive play has been highly disappointing thus far, as the team ranks at a lowly 28th place in the NHL in 5-on-5 goals per hour. However, there has been one pleasant surprise amongst Edmonton’s forward group, and that is Jack Roslovic.
Signed as a free agent, Roslovic’s contract with Edmonton was officially announced during the intermission of their season-opener against the Calgary Flames on October 8, and he made his season debut on October 14 against the New York Rangers. For a player joining a new team without the benefit of training camp or pre-season preparation, you wouldn’t expect a whole lot right out of the gate. However, after just 15 games, Roslovic is already establishing himself as a highly useful player for the team.
That was clear on Tuesday night, where Roslovic scored the overtime winning-goal in Edmonton’s 5-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins out to injury, Roslovic played over 21 minutes, ranking third among Edmonton’s forwards and only behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Overall, Roslovic has a total of four goals and 10 points. At even-strength specifically, he has seven points, just two behind Connor McDavid for the team lead and tied with Leon Draisaitl. Impressive.
One big reason for this is that Roslovic loves to shoot. He currently leads the team with over nine shots per hour at 5-on-5. For reference, that is higher than the shooting rates of any current Oilers skater in either of the past two seasons.
Indeed, a significant factor for Edmonton’s underwhelming offence this season thus far is simply the reluctance of many of their forwards, who are quite prone to over-passing, to shoot the puck, while on the other hand, there are far too many low-quality point shots from the defenders. However, Roslovic has not been one of those forwards. In this regard, he has been a fresh breath of air. Having a forward unafraid to shoot has already paid dividends.
Roslovic’s underlying numbers are quite solid as well. He has an excellent 59 percent goal differential at 5-on-5, and very good possession metrics with a 53 percent on-ice shot differential and 58 percent on-ice shot attempt differential. To build upon the previous point regarding Roslovic’s volume shooting, no Oilers forward has been on ice for more shot attempts per hour at 5-on-5 than Roslovic.
Roslovic has played in several different spots throughout the lineup, but particularly, he has shown early signs of great chemistry with Leon Draisaitl. The line of Draisaitl, Roslovic, and Vasily Podkolzin has out-shot opponents 55-to-34, and out-scored opponents 7-to-2 thus far. Clearly, there is potential for a great second line here in the long term.
And it is not just at 5-on-5 where Roslovic has shone. In Zach Hyman’s absence, there has been a hole at the net-front spot on Edmonton’s top power-play unit. The Oilers started the season with David Tomášek there, but aside from a few pretty plays, he was generally underwhelming in that role. However, in just 15 minutes of TOI on the PP, Roslovic already has two goals and three points. Thus far, he has done quite well in that net-front spot.
All in all, the Jack Roslovic signing was a smart move by Edmonton’s management. With multiple 20-goal and 35+ point seasons under his belt, his play thus far with Edmonton is not just a fluke.
Particularly with Hyman out, and with multiple Oilers forwards underachieving, Jack Roslovic’s performance with the Oilers thus far has been huge. As we move forward, expect Roslovic to continue getting big minutes next to McDavid and Draisaitl.
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