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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 4:59 PM, 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

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 5:08 PM, 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. 

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 6:02 PM, Scalptrash said:

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

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

 

Edited Monday at 06:10 PM by M_Nels

[SkolWild73]

  On 4/7/2025 at 3:58 PM, 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.

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 4:02 PM, Citizen Strife said:

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

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 3:57 PM, 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.

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 6:17 PM, 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.  

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 7:05 PM, 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?

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 7:05 PM, 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?

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3G-3A=6pts

-8

[Imyourhuckleberry]

  On 4/7/2025 at 7:14 PM, 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. 

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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.

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

  On 4/7/2025 at 4:02 PM, Citizen Strife said:

Rossi improved from 40 pts to 60 pts in one season.  I don't really give a crap about play driver/passenger business.  He won the game last night by taking Zucc's crazy pass home.

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Then you’re in the minority that doesn’t care. We have enough passengers on the team. And yes Zuccy’s ‘crazy’ tape to tape to pass for an easy redirect in… Rossi carried the team with his OT play.

[Trade Deadline Hero]

  On 4/7/2025 at 4:56 PM, Up North Guy said:

The Wild have players who have never experienced playoff hockey. Sure, they won't win much this year, but the experience thesis guys will get is invaluable. Think Faber, Rossi, Buium, maybe Yurov, Chizzy, maybe Ohgren. The playoffs are a very different animal than the regular season. It will be time for all the boys to grow all the way up.

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Aside from a couple of these guys, some of them may get a few minutes, sure, but is it worth the risk of them getting injured for a guaranteed first round exit? Not with this team.

Boldy and Faber are coming off of 4 nations which was round 4 style hockey, they’re fine. Rossi is getting traded, Brazeau is also gone next season, & Chisholm is back down to IA. This isn’t Billy’s Home for Wayward Hockey Players. We shouldn’t have that many players that need to “grow all the way up”.

[SkolWild73]

  On 4/7/2025 at 7:54 PM, 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.

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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.  

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

  On 4/7/2025 at 7:05 PM, 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?

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He’s had 6 points in the last 15 games. He has 8 points in the last 20 games with a +/- of -11. Tell me again how he’s positively  contributing to a struggling offense. (Numbers taken from his stat lines at NHL.com)

[Up North Guy]

  On 4/7/2025 at 7:54 PM, 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.

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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]

  On 4/7/2025 at 9:06 PM, 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.

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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.

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

  On 4/7/2025 at 3:11 PM, mnfaninnc said:

I think this is a misconception of this whole team. Coming into the year, the national consensus was a lottery pick team. My expectations were to be fighting for a WC spot. That's the very definition of competitive. 

Anyone who had visions of grandeur for this team this year was fooling themselves, and I warned a couple of months back not to be fooled by this team, it wasn't that good.

With a draft that is expected to be below average this season, Shooter traded out the 1st for a future player. Let's just say the 1st was our draft pick and he moved up several spots to take a player about ready for the NHL.  So, playoffs or not, we weren't getting draft compensation for missing the playoffs. 

This team is not deep. That's its main flaw. Injuries will derail this team far quicker than other teams in the league. And, that's exactly what has happened. Enjoy the playoffs, there's no pressure at all on the Wild, they are making it there. They will get the 2 demanded playoff games, and maybe a couple more. 

Now, if I'm Shooter, I'm looking closely at this team in the playoffs and seeing who is a plus and who is a minus with the eye test. The minuses need to be subtracted off the roster in the offseason. Even if they don't make it out of round 1 this year, notating the push back, the ability to score or lack of, the compete level, and ability to handle traffic will be scrutinized from the top. 

In the last 2 months, the Wild have put up several stinkers. They're just plain exhausted and gave it their all, being undermanned and to a forward having to elevate in the lineup above their role. This should be applauded. Going through the cap recapture and making the playoffs in 4/5 years is a tremendous feat. But, make no mistake, this playoff run is about season's to come, not this season. 

Players should rest up when they can and be ready to go come playoff time. My expectation is that they will lose in the 1st round and have no other gear to climb too, except for a few players. More will be needed, but the showing off of their usefulness going forward is what that 1st series is about. For Boldy, Rossi and Faber, tilting the ice in their favor is going to be really important. For guys like Trenin, Moose and Breezers, this is about showing they can be important clogs on a playoff team. This means getting secondary scoring and a bunch of hits. 

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I think this is a misconception of this whole team. Coming into the year, the national consensus was a lottery pick team. My expectations were to be fighting for a WC spot. That's the very definition of competitive. 
 

Competitive in what regards? Barely making a WC and early first round exit every year, not a great benchmark IMO. 
 

I agree with you about the lack of depth on this team. The injuries this year have illuminated that  to be a fact. However, I’d argue this is the same exact team we’ve had for the past few years. Yes, some of the names on lower lines look slightly different, but same skill levels, same type of team, same results. 
 

The problem is Billy G. His moneyball approach to the bottom six. It hasn’t produced noticeable change. He is content with insignificant bottom player tinkering and lost sight on creating true team depth. That depth isn’t found by overpaying bottom six project players, arguably Billy G’s greatest skill. 

I cannot wait for this summer to come and Billy G to dazzle the fan base with his off season acquisitions of top 6 scoring depth. He will have this extra money from the self induced cap hell that’s been holding back his 5 year plan from coming to fruition for the past 6 years. 

For Boldy, Rossi and Faber, tilting the ice in their favor is going to be really important. For guys like Trenin, Moose and Breezers, this is about showing they can be important clogs on a playoff team. This means getting secondary scoring and a bunch of hits. 
 

I agree. However, I have doubts on their ability to do that. The past 20 games have demonstrated this. They have moments, but no consistency or frequency in that department. Boldy is too concerned with trying to make flashy goals and just ends up missing the net high. That’s when he’s not button hooking on his zone entries and making no look drop passes to the opposing team. Rossi just isn’t big enough to win battles and creat sustained offense. And Faber looks injured and worn down. He needs rest, not to play in four meaningless games where he is going to hurt himself even further.
 

For guys like Trenin or Braz, they absolutely need to prove themselves. But the issue is they haven’t proven they can be contributors during the regular season, playoffs won’t change that. Braz doesn’t use his size and rarely ever makes contact, possibly from his lack of speed. He makes spurg look like a goon. As for Moose, I’d argue he is the only one that consistently proves his worth. IMO he out works anyone on the current roster. He’s physical, he has grit, and still contributes in the offense department. Even as an aging vet. I’d take him over 80% of the roster any day. His spot as a middle/ bottom 6 is and has been locked in. 
 

Maybe I’m just a jaded MN sports fan. But I’m not satisfied with what the organization has been doing. Being just good enough to claw and fight to the post season is not success. It only means we are in the bottom part of the upper half of the league. Actually winning a series or at the very least the prospect of making out of the first round, maybe. The teams are good enough to fill seats and not bad enough to make actual needed, sometimes, drastic changes to improve.  

[mnfaninnc]

  On 4/7/2025 at 11:43 PM, Neutral Zone Dangles said:

Competitive in what regards? Barely making a WC and early first round exit every year, not a great benchmark IMO. 

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You are correct, but this is all we were promised by Guerin through the past 5 years of cap penalties.

 

  On 4/7/2025 at 11:43 PM, Neutral Zone Dangles said:

I agree with you about the lack of depth on this team. The injuries this year have illuminated that  to be a fact. However, I’d argue this is the same exact team we’ve had for the past few years. Yes, some of the names on lower lines look slightly different, but same skill levels, same type of team, same results. 

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I think you're absolutely correct on this balance sheet assessment. But what isn't seen is the investment from the draft where most of the investment isn't here yet. The majority of that are sitting in lower leagues, but the talent has been amassed and had a 5 year delivery date (outside of the 1st round). Some are arriving early, but a 2021 draft pick is not expected to be here until 2026. So, while the faces of the placeholders remain the same, their replacements are within the organization, just not ready yet.

  On 4/7/2025 at 11:43 PM, Neutral Zone Dangles said:

I agree. However, I have doubts on their ability to do that. The past 20 games have demonstrated this. They have moments, but no consistency or frequency in that department. Boldy is too concerned with trying to make flashy goals and just ends up missing the net high. That’s when he’s not button hooking on his zone entries and making no look drop passes to the opposing team. Rossi just isn’t big enough to win battles and creat sustained offense. And Faber looks injured and worn down. He needs rest, not to play in four meaningless games where he is going to hurt himself even further

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I have my doubts too, but this is why it's so important to see it play out. Hopefully, Boldy and Rossi will get to play in the roles they were supposed to have, with Ek and Kaprizov stepping back into theirs. Both of those guys can score in the playoffs, no it's up to Boldy and Rossi to prove they can too. 

Faber, on the other hand, has a bigger challenge. He has to shutdown the other team's top lines better than Spurgy ever could. Points will be a bonus, but shutting down in his main goal.

  On 4/7/2025 at 11:43 PM, Neutral Zone Dangles said:

Maybe I’m just a jaded MN sports fan. But I’m not satisfied with what the organization has been doing. Being just good enough to claw and fight to the post season is not success. It only means we are in the bottom part of the upper half of the league. Actually winning a series or at the very least the prospect of making out of the first round, maybe. The teams are good enough to fill seats and not bad enough to make actual needed, sometimes, drastic changes to improve.

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I'm not saying this is good enough. I'm saying this is what Guerin promised through this stretch while he builds his contender's roster. It takes time to do it, and few have the patience for it, especially when doing it without tanking. But, if we can hit on 7-8 players out of the '20-22 drafts, I think we'll be in great shape for a 7-10 year window of contention. 2 of those guys have been traded into the organization. My hope is we pick up a couple of more in trades this offseason.

[Tony Abbott]

  On 4/7/2025 at 4:02 PM, Citizen Strife said:

Rossi improved from 40 pts to 60 pts in one season.  I don't really give a crap about play driver/passenger business.  He won the game last night by taking Zucc's crazy pass home.

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Also... Rossi drives play???

[Citizen Strife]

I don't really know what "drives play" mean to be fair.  People are probably just looking for reasons to hate him so "Oh no, he's not worth $7-8m."

All I really care about is, "he's got 60 pts, clutch, and is defensively responsible (+6)." so what's the issue here?

Edited Tuesday at 04:28 PM by Citizen Strife

[Tony Abbott]

For me, it's whether or not a player can dictate the pace of play, and Rossi does it on both ends of the ice. The Wild do better when Rossi's on the ice, other players do better when they play with Rossi than without. 

[Trade Deadline Hero]

  On 4/8/2025 at 4:26 PM, Citizen Strife said:

I don't really know what "drives play" mean to be fair.  People are probably just looking for reasons to hate him so "Oh no, he's not worth $7-8m."

All I really care about is, "he's got 60 pts, clutch, and is defensively responsible (+6)." so what's the issue here?

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He’s our first line center right now and doesn’t win faceoffs. That’s the issue.

[FredJohnson]

  On 4/8/2025 at 4:26 PM, Citizen Strife said:

so what's the issue here?

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He’ never produced in the cup playoffs! (Snark font)