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Winnipeg Jets: Jack Roslovic Already Garnering Big Believers

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 1: Jack Roslovic #52 of the Winnipeg Jets hits the ice for the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Nashville Predators in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 1, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 1: Jack Roslovic #52 of the Winnipeg Jets hits the ice for the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Nashville Predators in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 1, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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So the Winnipeg Jets never secured a new second-line center, or evened out some of the forward depth they lost. The backup goaltender situation is a whole other story, too.

The Winnipeg Jets are very obviously gambling on youth this coming season. Maybe they’ll pivot around the trade deadline. Is it smart to gamble on youth when you have such a good chance to win?

Probably not, but I’m not in the front office. I wish the Jets found a way to get a veteran center that isn’t Bryan Little into the mix, but they just might think that’s Jack Roslovic.

I personally didn’t predict him even making the starting lineup, and it looks like I’m alone right there.  I’ve seen on Twitter and heard from other people around the league that they fully expect Roslovic to supplant Paul Stastny.

Look, centering Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers makes the game a little easier for the center. But at the same time, those two are very important to the success of the Winnipeg Jets.

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It would be nice if the man in the middle was capable and giving the two offensive pillars everything they needed to be as good as we know they can be. Is Roslovic that guy?

There’s reason to believe he might be. Obviously, he has the pedigree as a first rounder and a top-scorer in the minors. Five goals and 14 points in just 31 games last season isn’t bad, either.

As well, that’s all at even strength and just about 12 minutes a game. He was impressive. Enough to hand him a top six spot on a team with Stanley Cup aspirations? Seems like it to the Jets.

And still, there’s not just Roslovic.

Kristian Vesalainen, 19, hasn’t made his NHL debut yet. I’m assuming people are a bit more skeptical of him than they are of Roslovic. I mean, one has already had moderate success level at the NHL level, including in the playoffs.

But mini-Laine has an abundance of confidence, and even at 19, I believe he can contribute in the NHL. Is he better than Rick Nash right now? No, but he’s cheaper and probably wants to play this season.

Look, signing Rick Nash isn’t the best idea of the offseason, but it isn’t a terrible one if he wants to play for a contender and is okay with paring his minutes down.

But Vesalainen might be another revelation. I’m not saying he’s going to be Kyle Connor good right of the bat, and he needs a bit more seasoning, but he can play. He’s a shooting specialist.

You don’t see enough of those that are bottom six guys, unless you watch a lot of Michael Grabner. The Winnipeg Jets will have four lines that can score on you, I know that much. Yes, losing Stastny sucks.

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And yes, banking on Jack Roslovic’s development, without a backup plan, is a dangerous game. But hey, this is a dangerous game we play. And there’s always the trade deadline.

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