The NHL offseason has gone silent as the calendar heads into late July. After the usual flurry of moves at the beginning of the month surrounding the opening of free agency, the hot stove has never picked up steam like some had imagined it would.
However, hockey insider John Shannon recently relayed on 880 CHED’s Inside Sports his belief that more business is to be done this summer.
“I still think we’re going to see a bump of trades coming, and so what we’re also then gonna see is a second wave of free agent signings,” Shannon told host Brenden Escott. “Guys like [Jack] Roslovic and [Victor] Olofsson are gonna be in a position [where] they will get contracts.”
Before Shannon’s interview, Chris Johnston reported after Nikolaj Ehlers signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 3 that trade activity could be spurred on by the teams that missed out on the Danish winger. A week later, Jeff Marek seemingly agreed with Johnston, stating that he believes trades are still to come this offseason.
Marek specifically singled out the Washington Capitals as a team to watch, and the Caps were finalists right behind the Hurricanes in the Ehlers sweepstakes. According to PuckPedia, the Capitals have $4.125 million in cap space and, as things currently stand, are bringing back just 10 of their 12 regular forwards from the playoffs this past season.
The Capitals have made several smaller moves so far, acquiring forward Justin Sourdif and defenseman Declan Chisholm, as well as re-signing Anthony Beauvillier. However, they haven’t made the signature move for the “skilled player” that general manager Chris Patrick hinted at during his end-of-season media availability in May.
Shannon’s highlighting of Roslovic could also involve the Capitals, as Elliotte Friedman reported the Caps “took a long look” at the 28-year-old forward during the first days of free agency. Roslovic recorded 39 points (22g, 17a) in 81 games for the Hurricanes during the 2024-25 campaign. He added four points (1g, 3a) in nine playoff games but was also healthy scratched several times during the postseason by head coach Rod Brind’Amour.
The Ohio native plays both wing and center and could provide head coach Spencer Carbery with lineup options once he figures out where Connor McMichael will start next season. Roslovic’s best year came primarily as a center with the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2021-22 season, recording 45 points (22g, 23a) in 81 games.
