3 Free-Agent Signings That Have Made 3 GMs Look Like NHL Geniuses
No one likely expected this trio to make a huge impact on their respective teams, but they have made their GMs look relly good for signing them in the offseason.
The NHL’s free agency period is full of big names signing lucrative contracts. Most of them do exactly what they are paid to do, make an impact with their new team. But every once in a while, a player gets signed to a low-end deal with limited expectations and surprisingly makes a difference.
That’s exactly what this trio has done so far for their respective teams. Let’s take a look at who they are and how they have made their GMs look like geniuses for signing them in the offseason.
Jack Roslovic, Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes lost a lot of firepower in the offseason when they couldn’t re-sign Jake Guentzel and Teuvo Teravainen to extensions. As a result, new general manager Eric Tulsky had to scour the free agent market for replacements, usually of the budget-friendly variety due to a lack of salary cap space. One he landed on was Jack Roslovic, who had just finished another disappointing season since his career-high 22 goals in 2021-22. Splitting time between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers last season, he finished with only nine goals and 31 points in 59 games - matching his lowest goal total when he was with the Winnipeg Jets in 2018-19.
Signed by the Hurricanes to a one-year deal worth $2.8 million, Roslovic already has nine goals in 16 games and seven in his past 11. He’s been surprisingly productive in limited minutes, averaging only 13:53 a night, and has also been a playdriver, sporting a 59.1 Corsi for percentage (CF%). He has seemingly found a home in head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s system, and while his career-high 20.9 shooting percentage will probably level out as the season goes on, he is on pace to have his best campaign in a long time. He has definitely filled the hole left by Teravainen and Guentzel and could end up parlaying that one-year deal into a longer-term one before the end of the season.
Quotables
"I think it's just the style of play. It fits me a little bit so I enjoy playing in the system and I enjoy being at the rink every day." - Roslovic on his success so far this season
“It's strange. He's fast and he's got a great release. Obviously it's been a great fit here and sometimes you just... I don't even know how to explain it, but a new change of scenery, a fresh start. Sometimes that's what you need." - Head coach Rod Brind’Amour
Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks
Before Kevin Lankinen was signed, the Vancouver Canucks had Arturs Silovs and Jiri Patera as their goaltending tandem. Starter Thatcher Demko was still sidelined with a knee injury and there was a real possibility they would have to start the season with two goaltenders with a combined 17 games of NHL experience. But GM Patrik Allvin remedied that with the addition of Lankinen on a one-year, $875,000 contract.
