Article: Marco Rossi Stands In the Middle Of A Controversy He Didn't Create

[Robert Brent]

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[OldDutchChip]

we need Rossi to succeed and drive the line he is given. This is not the time to “help him out” by moving him to a more skilled teammate- he needs to step up and give the team balance. Yea, you can plug him w Kap, but that doesn’t solve depth issues. He needs to show he can drive the line-that’s it. Boldy is stepping up. Faber and Rossi are slipping. Fix that.

[Pewterschmidt]

We've debated Rossi's value endlessly here, but I think the end is near.  Is Rossi an NHL'r who can contribute on the score sheet?  Absolutely yes.  Does he belong in an NHL starting lineup? Absolutely yes.  Does he deserve a fat contract (doesn't sound like he'd accept a bridge deal)?  Absolutely no.

WTF P-Jinping?  Aren't you contradicting yourself?  Absolutely no.

Rossi's disappearing act while 97 & Ek were out was the last straw for bill.  This was Rossi's chance to silence the doubters and command a contract from the Wild, and he's failed.  But P-Crappie, he's injured blah blah.  Exactly Bob-Lob-Law.

Why trade Rossi?  He's too small for big league playoff hockey.  This lineup is just too small already.  He'd be a great complimentary top 9 skater on a grown ass contender, but we aren't that.  He has 'more unproven potential' which should garner interest this summer.  If bill can win a hockey trade we could get a middle six NHL forward this summer and Rossi gets a new lease on his NHL life.  

[Pewterschmidt]

4 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Yea, you can plug him w Kap, but that doesn’t solve depth issues.

Zuccy went back into ghost mode without 97 last game.  We'll see if that changes in game 2.  Boldy and Ek can create w/o 97 so I'd move 97 back with 36.

[OldDutchChip]

8 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Zuccy went back into ghost mode without 97 last game.  We'll see if that changes in game 2.  Boldy and Ek can create w/o 97 so I'd move 97 back with 36.

yeap - i think you need to get Zuccy back with Kap otherwise there are too many players that are wasted. Zuccy, Nyquist, Braz, Trenin and Rossi are offering next to nothing now. 

I know it's a crazy thought - but i'd throw  a curve ball and try Zeev on offense (surprise them a bit) - since his D is still a work-in-progress, let's give him a bit more free reign and not worry about that aspect. Give him a line with Rossi and Boldy and see what he can do. 

Then reconnect Kap with Harty and Zuccy. And get Ek, Foligno and MJ together. 

Avoid playing the rest as much as possible and double shift Kap and Boldy to cover. 

This is a must win - so go for it!

[Will D. Ness]

I'm a fan of Rossi, but not when he coasts.  It's the drive of Rossi that made him successful, and that drive has been gone for months.  

He needs to channel Arnold Schwarzenegger or something in game 2.  If he falls into this indifferent coasting version of Rossi that we have been witnessing for the last month.. then there really is no defending him.  

Pretty much everyone on this team, including Nojo, has stepped up their intensity for playoff hockey.  Why hasn't Rossi?  

[Willy the poor boy]

5 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

I'm a fan of Rossi, but not when he coasts.  It's the drive of Rossi that made him successful, and that drive has been gone for months.  

He needs to channel Arnold Schwarzenegger or something in game 2.  If he falls into this indifferent coasting version of Rossi that we have been witnessing for the last month.. then there really is no defending him.  

Pretty much everyone on this team, including Nojo, has stepped up their intensity for playoff hockey.  Why hasn't Rossi?  

Well, he got 12 minutes in a playoff game, I believe his first playoff game. I wouldn't write him off that he doesn't show up in the playoffs quite yet.

He took a shot to the knee a month ago and is likely playing hurt. Either that's why Hines played him 12 minutes, or the alternative is Hines is a fool.

I do believe he's gone this summer and I do believe it will be another mistake by the Wild. He's small but he's tough. He and Ek will go to the net, who else will on this team? 

 

[RedLake]

Zuccy is spent. Pressbox him and let the kids play.

[M_Nels]

54 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Zuccy went back into ghost mode without 97 last game.  We'll see if that changes in game 2.  Boldy and Ek can create w/o 97 so I'd move 97 back with 36.

I disagree P-Jockey, although I understand the sentiment about balancing the lines better and Zucc having a quiet game 1. That 1st line was rolling all game and were creating problems, if I'm Hynes I stick with it. Also, if they reunite Kap & Zucc on 5v5 I'm worried that VGK's offense will be very quick to strike and be rushing in transition after the inevitable turnovers. 

[SkolWild73]

Maybe we will see a change in the lineups tonight.  One thing about Hynes, he has not been afraid to huddle lineups.  It may not be at the start of the game, but maybe after one period.  

[MNCountryLife]

I don't like giving away 23 year old players that are putting up good numbers.

If Rossi is hurt: He should be in the press box or on line 4.  Foligno is a valuable player and has earned more minutes than being sheltered with an injured Rossi.

If Rossi isn't hurt: He needs to step up and be the center he is capable of being.  

[hydguy75]

Well, I wouldn't base anything off the first PO game of this post-season.  Most players seem to find another level during PO's, and it's the same thing as learning how to drive come the first snowfall.  Not to mention, the Wild are outsized- VKG's smallest defender is bigger than half of the entire Wild roster.  Therefore I give all teams and players a pass at the first PO Game. 

With this being Rossi's first ever PO game he gets maybe another game or so for his hall pass.  He has to figure out how to leverage his size and abilities against a skyline that just won the cup a couple years prior.  Sure, this is PO and we do need success, and that will arrive.  Now with the wrecking crew  back from the infirmary, the lines need to be reestablished and gelled.  Toss a rookie playing his first ever game, and the team being cautious and watchful, Game 1 is not a game to base any projections from.  

When our leaders were missing mid-season and everyone here begged for secondary scoring, at times Rossi did step up.  The Wild had enough confidence in Rossi et al to hold the line until the infantry returned from R&R, when they could have packaged him up in a large bow leftover from a Christmas car commercial, and traded him away.  

Given this is a best of 7 series, you get a chance to see what VGK bring to the table, and Hynes seems to be the right coach to make adjustments.  Checking a few Vegas posts, most did not expect the Wild to be as formidable, and calling on their Knights in Armor to do better.  But this is why it's a best of 7- more chances to read the competition and adjust your game.  Now we will have to see if Coach Hynes and crew can take advantage of any VGK weaknesses, and also see if Vegas ramps up the intensity.  

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Top line worked fine, but Hartman did look good.

I might try Hartman back between Zuccarello and Kaprizov.

Boldy - JEE - Nyquist should work, especially defensively.

Rossi with Foligno and Trenin should work, especially defensively.

Gaudreau can center Brazeau and NoJo for 10-12 minutes or so.

Go Wild!!!

[Imyourhuckleberry]

22 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

I don't like giving away 23 year old players that are putting up good numbers.

I don't think Rossi will be traded 1 for 1, but I could see him in a package deal where the Wild upgrade to a highly valuable veteran. Guerin could surprise some folks this summer when he has cap space add high salary players.

Edited 2 hours ago by Imyourhuckleberry

[MNCountryLife]

15 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I don't think Rossi will be traded 1 for 1, but I could see him in a package deal where the Wild upgrade to a highly valuable veteran. Guerin could surprise some folks this summer when he has cap space add high salary players.

We should get a good understanding of how BG wants to build the team this summer.  I hope you are right.

[SkolWild73]

1 hour ago, SkolWild73 said:

Maybe we will see a change in the lineups tonight.  One thing about Hynes, he has not been afraid to huddle lineups.  It may not be at the start of the game, but maybe after one period.  

Was supposed to say juggle..could not rist again.

[Willy the poor boy]

All I've gotta say is if they trade him they better WIN the GD trade! No WTF did he do now, or well, that's an even trade, he needs to hands down win it. Rossi's gonna be good and depending where he goes he easily could be top 6 on a SC champion team. There are plenty of small top 6 guys with their names written on the Cup. and Rossi def has the talent to be one of them.

I'd say a 20 point increase in production from your first to second season is a nice sign that things are clicking for you. Especially when you have to play throughout the lineup.

[Dis-allowed display name]

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Top line worked fine, but Hartman did look good.

I might try Hartman back between Zuccarello and Kaprizov.

Boldy - JEE - Nyquist should work, especially defensively.

Rossi with Foligno and Trenin should work, especially defensively.

Gaudreau can center Brazeau and NoJo for 10-12 minutes or so.

Go Wild!!!

I like your suggestion, but I would move Nojo to line three just because he has been actually showing up lately and could blend some speed with Rossi, and bump Trenin down with Gaudreau and Brazeau.  

[Imyourhuckleberry]

5 minutes ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

I like your suggestion, but I would move Nojo to line three just because he has been actually showing up lately and could blend some speed with Rossi, and bump Trenin down with Gaudreau and Brazeau. 

Your suggestion is far more likely than mine. Johansson has tallied some points in the last couple of months, I just find it hard to trust him as much as the coaches do.

[Scalptrash]

He may not produce as much in the playoffs, but a lot of players don't, especially young ones. I don't understand why the majority wants him gone when he is a young, 60 point, player that will continue to get better. Trading him for yet another downslope vet seems like a bad, but typical, move by Guerin.
I think Zucc got in his head when he told him he needs to pass more.

[Citizen Strife]

Well, Rossi to the 4th line isn't going to help...

Way to just say what you think of him without saying it out loud.

Guerin better have some ace up his sleeve.  At this rate, he's gonna trade Rossi for a 40 year old Corey Perry or something.

[BeanPole Harvester]

2 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Top line worked fine, but Hartman did look good.

I might try Hartman back between Zuccarello and Kaprizov.

Boldy - JEE - Nyquist should work, especially defensively.

Rossi with Foligno and Trenin should work, especially defensively.

Gaudreau can center Brazeau and NoJo for 10-12 minutes or so.

Go Wild!!!

Base on what I saw during the first game I would actually put Hartman between kap and boldy.

Hartman may have been the best player on the team a couple years ago agaqinst Dallas and he looks like that player again (2G & 3A in 5 games).

Since he joined the Wild his scoring has gone up during the playoffs with him averaging .532 pts/gm during the regular season and .565 pts/gm during the playoffs. If you subtract his forst year in which he had 0 pts in 4 games he has 13 pts in the last 19 games (.684 pts/gm).

[RedLake]

Rossi isn't a playoff playa. Hartman is. Why would Billy want a non factor in the playoffs?