Jack Roslovic demanded a trade but the center in not a likely fit for the NY Rangers

Jack Roslovic has demanded a trade from the Winnipeg Jets and will not be attending training camp. His agent Claude Lemieux made this public with Pierre Lebrun in the last few days.

Whenever a player, in particular a center becomes available the New York Rangers seemed to be attached to him. And while the Blueshirts need centers, this one may not be a fit. At least not right now.

Report: Half dozen teams have asked about Jack Roslovic

Yesterday, I touched base with Claude Lemieux to ask what’s the latest on the situation. He seemed pretty confident that Roslovic will be traded but to where remains to be seen.

Being that Roslovic is an RFA, I was informed at least half a dozen teams have expressed interest in him.

The 23 year-old RFA was not happy with the way the Winnipeg Jets were utilizing him before asking to be traded. He was a first round pick back in 2015 and saw career highs with 12 goals and 29 points playing primarily as a third liner. He is looking for a more prominent role with his next club.

Why the Rangers are not a fit

jack roslovic
Jack Roslovic (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

According to Luke Fox, he was being shopped around this offseason with the Jets looking for a defenseman. Obviously, should the Jets deal him that could still be the desired exchange. The Rangers certainly have plenty of defenseman in the pipeline to choose from but that’s not the stumbling block to a deal.

When it comes to the New York Rangers, it doesn’t sound like a fit if Jack is looking for top six minutes now. Mika Zibanejad and Ryan Strome are penned in as the top two centers. Moving to the wing isn’t an option as the Rangers are overloaded there for years to come. I’ve already been tipped off that they will need to trade some prospects this deadline or next offseason.

At the end of the day, this boils down to a timing issue. The Rangers may have already been one of the six teams that inquired, but if Roslovic is adamant to get top six minutes, it just doesn’t make sense for both sides by the time he gets dealt.

Get up to speed on the day one of NYR Camp

Don’t miss all the key notes and quotes from day one…available here.

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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