Article: Marco Rossi Might Have Just Saved the Wild's Season

[greg]

Great comments by all.  Even if Kaprisov and Ek get back for playoffs it's going to take them a couple of games to get back into it.  Losing Kaprisov when he was having such a great start hurts.  But it also shows how little depth this team has.  Too many guys not showing up to play.  Not just Boldy and Rossi.  I wonder what Kaprisov really thinks of this team after relaxing for the past two months.  I'm sure he can't be too impressed.  I hope he stays but I wouldn't be surprised if he bolts to a better organization

[M_Nels]

1 minute ago, greg said:

I wonder what Kaprisov really thinks of this team after relaxing for the past two months.  I'm sure he can't be too impressed.  I hope he stays but I wouldn't be surprised if he bolts to a better organization

Might be pleasantly surprised they are in a wild card spot even with the injuries. If he watched any of the NCAA tourney he might be stoked as hell at Zeev's play, may be itching to see Yurov in North America, might be impressed with Jiri's size and puck moving skills, could be excited by Heidt lighting up the WHL. Point is nobody knows except Kaprizov and maybe Zuccarello since they are so close (might not even be full intentions).

I honestly don't think he bolts, might hold out again but I don't see him seeking greener pastures where there really aren't many. 

[Scalptrash]

50 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

I honestly don't think he bolts, might hold out again but I don't see him seeking greener pastures where there really aren't many. 

Trade him this summer. The Wild will end up overpaying for an injury prone, unhappy player that doesn't want to be here anyway. Look at what the Wild accomplished the second half of the season without him, with tired old vets and a huge cap deficit. Four new top 6 forwards would look and perform better than one half broken Russian.

[Scalptrash]

Bummer. The Wild should have been tanking and rebuilding for the last three seasons. Leipold is too greedy, however.

[M_Nels]

7 minutes ago, Scalptrash said:

The Wild will end up overpaying for an injury prone, unhappy player that doesn't want to be here anyway.

Glad you've got insider info that nobody else does. 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by M_Nels

[SkolWild73]

2 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Furthermore, Rossi's disappearance coinciding with 97's injury provide evidence that Rossi is the beneficiary of 97's talent, more than Rossi is his own play driver.

Rossi has 29 points in 41 games without Kap this year, 13G, 16 A, .71pgp.  Full season projection of 58 points, 26G, 32A.

Rossi has 29 points in 37 games with Kap this year, 11G, 18 A, .78pgp.  Full season projection 64 points, 24G, 40A.

Very slight difference in the number with or without.  

[SkolWild73]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Rossi improved from 40 pts to 60 pts in one season.

Exactly.  I think many forget that.  Also, even though he is 23, he lost at least a year of development due to his health.  Hoping he puts up 70-80 pts next year, only if he is still with us of course.

[SkolWild73]

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

A quick look at the top 50 UFA list reveals a very low interest bunch. Nyquist is listed at 42, Breezers at 45.

Sam Bennett is the guy on that list that most interests me as a 3rd line C. Nico Sturm doesn't even make the list, which tells me he was forgotten. That could be a nice under the radar signing. I really think we go the trade route to get better, but those guys could certainly supplement some guys being traded out. Both guys are big and physical, Bennett being more physical, the exact type of player you want on a playoff team.

Here is the link to those players with projected contracts for anyone interested.  Will be waiting for many to freak out over who is at number two and the contract.

Future $14 million man Mitch Marner headlines first Top 50 UFAs of 2025

[Pewterschmidt]

47 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

Rossi has 29 points in 41 games without Kap this year, 13G, 16 A, .71pgp.  Full season projection of 58 points, 26G, 32A.

Rossi has 29 points in 37 games with Kap this year, 11G, 18 A, .78pgp.  Full season projection 64 points, 24G, 40A.

Very slight difference in the number with or without.  

If those #'s are correct I'll eat crow.  He sure has seemed non-existant the last 15 games.  What are his #'s the last 15 games?

[SkolWild73]

2 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

If those #'s are correct I'll eat crow.  He sure has seemed non-existant the last 15 games.  What are his #'s the last 15 games?

His last 15 have not been good.  3G, 3A.  When Kap first went down, he played really well, pretty much right up until Ek got hurt.  Since Ek got hurt, he has 4G and 5A in 21 games.  In the 20 other games prior to the Ek injury, he had 9G and 11A.  

 

[M_Nels]

7 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

If those #'s are correct I'll eat crow.  He sure has seemed non-existant the last 15 games.  What are his #'s the last 15 games?

3G-3A=6pts

-8

[Imyourhuckleberry]

35 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

His last 15 have not been good.  3G, 3A.  When Kap first went down, he played really well, pretty much right up until Ek got hurt.  Since Ek got hurt, he has 4G and 5A in 21 games.  In the 20 other games prior to the Ek injury, he had 9G and 11A. 

Those overall numbers were a bit surprising, as are these

The Wild had done fairly well with Kaprizov down and healthy Eriksson Ek for a time 2 seasons ago as well. Those have been 2 of the most essential players for the Wild and Eriksson Ek's overall impact is almost invariably underappreciated. If both can come back healthy for the last few games and the playoffs, the Wild could be substantially better than they are in the current form.

[SkolWild73]

11 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Those overall numbers were a bit surprising, as are these

The Wild had done fairly well with Kaprizov down and healthy Eriksson Ek for a time 2 seasons ago as well. Those have been 2 of the most essential players for the Wild and Eriksson Ek's overall impact is almost invariably underappreciated. If both can come back healthy for the last few games and the playoffs, the Wild could be substantially better than they are in the current form.

I agree.  I think I have heard someone say that Kap is our best player, but Ek might be our most important.  It brings me back to two years ago in the playoffs against Dallas.  How that matchup might have been different if Ek had been able to play.  Hopefully we get to have both this year.  

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Those overall numbers were a bit surprising, as are these

The Wild had done fairly well with Kaprizov down and healthy Eriksson Ek for a time 2 seasons ago as well. Those have been 2 of the most essential players for the Wild and Eriksson Ek's overall impact is almost invariably underappreciated. If both can come back healthy for the last few games and the playoffs, the Wild could be substantially better than they are in the current form.

One more thing about Rossi and I don't think it can be dismissed out of hand. Rossi caught a friendly fire shot on the inside of his knee where there is very little padding. His play has been diminished since then. I think his speed and skating have been better the last couple games but he isn't quite there yet.

[mnfaninnc]

30 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

One more thing about Rossi and I don't think it can be dismissed out of hand. Rossi caught a friendly fire shot on the inside of his knee where there is very little padding. His play has been diminished since then. I think his speed and skating have been better the last couple games but he isn't quite there yet.

The time off between the regular season and playoffs will do him well. Those thing are a bear to play through. I do give him credit for gutting it out.