The Detroit Red Wings made some intriguing moves in NHL Free Agency. James van Riemsdyk signed a one-year contract to play his 17th NHL season in Hockeytown. Jacob Bernard-Docker is an intriguing defensive option, as well. And Mason Appleton should make this team more difficult to play against.
However, Detroit still has holes to fill. They need a top-six forward, and a top-four defenseman could go a long way toward solving some issues on the blueline. They got better with the moves they made earlier in the offseason. How much they improved is unclear, though.
NHL Free Agency does not offer the sort of player they truly need. There are no top six forwards left on the board. And the top-four defensive market was razor thin before the market even opened back on July 1.
In saying this, there is a signing Detroit can make that can help facilitate other moves. They could swing a trade for a top-four defenseman after this signing. And the player in question could be a bit of a bargain signing at this point in the offseason.
Former New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes forward Jack Roslovic is still a free agent. He was one of the better options on the market once NHL Free Agency opened. At this point, the Red Wings should pursue Roslovic to improve their scoring depth.
Jack Roslovic: Pros and Cons
Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesJack Roslovic could become one of the top scoring options on the Detroit Red Wings.
There are a lot of question marks around Roslovic. He is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He scored 22 goals and 39 points for the Hurricanes during the 2024-25 season. And he did this while averaging less than 14 minutes per night.
Roslovic’s season may scream fluke, but he has produced at this level before. He has another 22-goal season under his belt, scoring that many during the 2021-22 season. Furthermore, he has scored 39 or more points in three of the last four seasons. If he played for the Red Wings last year, he would have ranked fourth in goals and sixth in points.
However, Roslovic has struggled with consistency in his career. While he did well in 2021-22, he didn’t have a great scoring touch in the next two seasons. In fact, he scored less than 12 goals in both of those campaigns.
The former Rangers and Hurricanes forward is going to command a raise this summer. His production in 2024-25 warrants a pay bump. The Red Wings have the cap space, and they can fit him in the lineup. They need to weigh the pros and cons, though, before seeing if they can come to terms on a deal.
How Red Wings Could Solve Defensive Need
Adding Roslovic to the roster would create a bit of a logjam in the middle six. The former Hurricanes pivot can play either center or right wing. But a lot of other Red Wings forwards can do the same.
Signing Roslovic could open up the possibility of a trade involving one of the forwards. A high-cost veteran like Andrew Copp or J.T. Compher could make sense as trade candidates. Another potential option is Jonatan Berggren, who may be situated on the fourth line for the upcoming season.
Using one of these players in a trade package would be smart. It allows Detroit to make room for a player who can give them goals. And it brings back a player who can help stabilize their defense. Of course, this is all easier said than done. In any event, the fit in Hockeytown for Roslovic makes sense.
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