JACK ROSLOVIC SNUBS $9M OILERS OFFER TO STAY WITH HURRICANES: “CAROLINA FEELS LIKE HOME”
In a bold show of loyalty and belief in the team’s direction, Jack Roslovic has turned down a reported $9 million free-agent offer from the Edmonton Oilers in favor of re-signing with the Carolina Hurricanes on a more modest deal—believed to be in the range of $5.75 million annually over three years.
The decision has sent shockwaves through the NHL, with insiders stunned that Roslovic would pass on the chance to join a Connor McDavid-led juggernaut for a significant pay raise.
But for Roslovic, the choice was personal.
“I’ve played a lot of hockey in a lot of places,” he said at a press conference on Monday. “But Carolina feels like home. The culture, the locker room, Roddy [Brind’Amour]—it’s different here. I didn’t want to walk away from that just because of money.”
Roslovic, 28, joined the Hurricanes in July 2024 on a one-year, $2.8 million deal. Initially viewed as a depth addition, he quickly shattered expectations, producing a career-best campaign with 26 goals and 59 points in 78 games, flourishing in Brind’Amour’s uptempo system. His speed, vision, and two-way effort made him a critical top-six contributor and a fan favorite in Raleigh.
The Hurricanes wasted no time in trying to secure him long-term, but so did other suitors. According to multiple sources, the Edmonton Oilers tabled a three-year, $9 million offer, with the promise of top-line minutes alongside Leon Draisaitl and a shot at a Cup.
Yet despite the appeal, Roslovic’s heart remained in North Carolina.
“It was tempting, no doubt,” Roslovic admitted. “But I know what we’re building here. And I know what it feels like to be valued not just as a player, but as a person. I want to finish what we started.”
Canes GM Eric Tulsky praised the decision as “a massive win for our locker room,” emphasizing Roslovic’s leadership and chemistry with Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho.
“Jack’s not just a goal scorer. He drives play, he commits defensively, and he raises the level of everyone around him,” Tulsky said. “For him to take less money to stay here says everything about his character—and our culture.”
This move is also likely to end speculation that Roslovic might be flipped at the deadline as a rental asset. Instead, the Hurricanes are doubling down on a core that fell just short in the Eastern Conference Final and remains hungry for more.
As for the fans, Roslovic’s commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. Social media lit up with #RoslovicLoyalty trending just hours after the news broke.
“Money comes and goes,” Roslovic said, smiling. “But the chance to win something special, with people who believe in you—that’s rare. That’s what I’m staying for.”
In an era dominated by dollar signs and short-term glory, Jack Roslovic’s choice stands as a rare statement: sometimes, home ice is worth more than a paycheck.
