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

[SkolWild73]

I know many think we will trade him.  Others say he isn’t built for the playoffs because of his size.  In reality, we have no idea if he can play in the playoffs.  He has played one game and 12 minutes.  I don’t think playing on the 4th line tonight will help.

I am not saying Rossi is as good as the following players, but he is 23 and has room to grow.  So those who say he can’t be a playoff performer because of his size think the following players are not either?

Brad Marchand: 5’9 180 pounds

Patrick Kane: 5’10 175 pounds

 Brayden Point: 5’10 183

Johnny Gaudreau: (RIP) 5’9 165

Jonathan Marchessault: 5’9 180

 

 

 

[Citizen Strife]

If he's playing hurt, why even have him out there?  Let's say, "He could still be a PP2 threat."  For what, an extra 30-1 minute of garbage time that the team won't use because the other five guys take the biggest chunk of PP anyway?  

The team would probably be well served just pulling an Ek and saying Rossi is too hurt to play effectively.  At least then they have plausible deniability.

Edited Tuesday at 08:31 PM by Citizen Strife

[Imyourhuckleberry]

5 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

If he's playing hurt, why even have him out there?  Let's say, "He could still be a PP2 threat.  For what, an extra 30-1 minute of garbage time that the team won't use because the other five guys take the biggest chunk of PP anyway?  

The team would probably be well served just pulling an Ek and saying Rossi is too hurt to play effectively.  At least then they have plausible deniability.

I think he has been playing through some stuff. Rossi had 51 points(21 goals) through 60 games, and has just 9 points(3 goals) in the last 23 games.

Have to give him credit for playing all 82 games, but some time off likely would have been preferred if the Wild had their full contingent of forwards available.

[Patrick]

If Rossi isn't hurt, Game 1 was a borderline brain dead decision by Hynes.

Put your most talented players in the best position to succeed and then make changes if they don't.  Not the other way around.  

SMH...

[Enforceror]

So logically, what reasons do we have for Rossi being down in the lineup? 

1. GM/Coach doesn't like him

For those of you saying Guerin and/or Hynes don't like Rossi, what are the sources? Yeah, Russo says he's getting traded but with as tight-lipped as MN staff is (injuries anyone?), do we really think BG is going to show his trade chips to the world? Are there any other legitimate sources that show BG/Hynes don't like Rossi?

2. Injury/burnout

Without a doubt, Rossi took a puck to the knee and I do believe it was around the time his production dropped off (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). With the resilience and hard work he has shown throughout the season....I just can't seem him being the coasting type unless he has a reason or is physically unable to perform to his ability.

3. Disgruntled

Maybe this just belongs in number 1, but it was reported that contract negotiations were very far apart. Possible Rossi feels disgruntled or contract negotiation has created a rift. 

4. Hynes Suprise

Hynes likes to be tricky. Lines could be completely different during the game, not to mention changes throughout the game as he implements strategies.

5. Really bad slump

Rossi could be stuck in his head after all the pressure of trying to make up for the absence of Kap and Ek. Hynes could be trying to figure at how to resuscitate him. 

6. The Bettman Knights (nod to Red) are paying them off.

Hey anything is possible right?

LFGW, get this one tonight!!!!

 

 

[Wildfan2k]

Good article, and agree with Robert on needing to Rossi in top six again.  Unfortunately either Mr Guerin or poor Hynes made the choice to move him to 4th line tonight for game 2.  I’m a Rossi fan and believe he gives the Wild the best chance to win (score) when playing between Kaprizov and Boldy.  Then worry about size on lines 2-4. 

[Enforceror]

Pretty decent interview with Hynes seeming like his filter was a little askew. Talks about Rossi, Nyquist and the Foligno/Rossi/Nyquist line.

Hynes Game 2 Pregame at Vegas 4/22 | Minnesota Wild

Edited Tuesday at 11:55 PM by Enforceror

[Willy the poor boy]

🙃

 

[Scalptrash]

16 hours ago, MacGyver said:

From what Pat Micheletti said on the radio the other day Guerin's ace up his sleeve is Brock Nelson. Only Micheletti described him as the "big fish" the Wild have their eyes on this off season.

I'd prefer the other Brock, at least he's still in his 20's. But I really hope it's not any Brock. Guerin likes his old men though, so nothing will surprise me.

[JMC1976]

I'll just leave this here...

1. Russo isn't an NHL insider like the homers on FDS like to chirp.  (see guys like Friedman, Button, Hradek for actual insider info.  Even McKenzie and Starman are better connected)

2. We've all seen this before from Russo with Granlund.

3. Appreciate the opinion Russo - just call it what it is please and thank you.

Edited Wednesday at 03:29 PM by JMC1976

[mnfaninnc]

Rossi on the 4th line is not a good fit. He would be required to provide offense all by himself. Trenin doesn't pass well, and Breezers is having trouble catching up. Rossi is a top 6 player, and needs some guys with him, but our "guys" are also too small (though I don't consider Rossi small, just short). 

However, with that group, he has been responsible, and made sure that no odd man rushes were coming back. Maybe just breaking even helps? Maybe that's what they had to do on the road? Maybe they can match him up better at home?

But, if this is how they will use him, put some speed with him. Why not try putting Ohgren in for Breezers and having Trenin stay? At least OgZ can handle a puck and skate! He also needs to get into this series! Also, Breezers is big, but he is NOT taking the body hard like he should be. Maybe he can't catch the Vegas players?

[HornetsHornets]

He’s hurt

[MacGyver]

Listened to Russo's podcast. Apparently the Rossi camp was offered 5X5 and they said thanks but no thanks. This is how Billy operates. He's not one of Billy's boys, Billy don't like em young but he's good enough if I can get him on the cheap. 

If not I'll bury him on the 4th line and give him ten minutes a game and then get what I can for him in the off season. Rossi is out so get used to it Rossi fans and don't hold your breath on a big return. 

[mnhockeyfan03]

9 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

Listened to Russo's podcast. Apparently the Rossi camp was offered 5X5 and they said thanks but no thanks. This is how Billy operates. He's not one of Billy's boys, Billy don't like em young but he's good enough if I can get him on the cheap. 

If not I'll bury him on the 4th line and give him ten minutes a game and then get what I can for him in the off season. Rossi is out so get used to it Rossi fans and don't hold your breath on a big return. 

Rossi at 5x5 is overpaying.  Teams are going to see the last 2 months and our trade value is going to be very low.  He is not fast enough to make up for size disadvantage. He will be traded but we aren’t going to get much back.  More a salary dump. 

[MacGyver]

I don't think it's an overpay but it should be closer to 6 to 6.5 X5. He's playing hurt right now so I'm not judging him on a couple playoff games with little ice time on the 4th line. He's going to continue to improve  given the strides he's taken the last two seasons. He was fast enough to put up 60 points this year. But his ticket is punched and some other team will benefit from his skill set and know how to put them to better use. And they will get him for not much.  

[Protec]

I wouldn't be so sure he doesn't bring much in a trade. A team with a player who's difficult to sign like K'Andre Miller possibly or another guy who needs a change of scenery will be the kind of swap GMBG would want. MN has other guys they could package and I think they could get a good result from a trade. Maybe another young guy but one with a different look from Rossi. It's possible, never know.

[mnhockeyfan03]

2 hours ago, Protec said:

I wouldn't be so sure he doesn't bring much in a trade. A team with a player who's difficult to sign like K'Andre Miller possibly or another guy who needs a change of scenery will be the kind of swap GMBG would want. MN has other guys they could package and I think they could get a good result from a trade. Maybe another young guy but one with a different look from Rossi. It's possible, never know.

I would love a guy like kandre miller.  Another guy who might be on the block is rasmus Anderson from Calgary.  He is very talented RHD and mean and a prick to play against.  We need guys like him.  When we played them he irritated the heck out of our top guys. 

[mnhockeyfan03]

I would dangle Rossi for rasmus anderson and sign him long term 5x7-8mm.  Then dangle Faber and something else to Buffalo for Tage Thompson or Ottawa for Brady or another team to get the 1C we need or top forward then fill in pieces with other trades to get us 3 more new top 9 fwds.  Let’s think big and be creative and for those saying it’s not possible it is.  Just takes outside the box thinking and some stones.  We want a cup not just a playoff birth.  

[RedLake]

Rossi is gone and he knows it. So does his agent. Let's F'in go gritty Hartman.

[Tony Abbott]

5 hours ago, Protec said:

I wouldn't be so sure he doesn't bring much in a trade. A team with a player who's difficult to sign like K'Andre Miller possibly or another guy who needs a change of scenery will be the kind of swap GMBG would want. MN has other guys they could package and I think they could get a good result from a trade. Maybe another young guy but one with a different look from Rossi. It's possible, never know.

Why do the Wild need Miller with Jiricek?

[M_Nels]

10 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

Why do the Wild need Miller with Jiricek?

If we're going to dangle Rossi/picks/prospects/players for anybody it needs to be another center. Ala Byfield, Thompson, Larkin (maybe).. Byfield isn't going anywhere though with his extension and being in the West. But hey it is fun to throw out totally unrealistic trades, I can see why some do it daily on here 😏

Edited yesterday at 01:11 PM by M_Nels

[Mateo3xm]

On 4/22/2025 at 10:27 AM, OldDutchChip said:

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.

Rossi just had a two pt night last night. He’s doing just fine.

[Mateo3xm]

17 hours ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Rossi at 5x5 is overpaying.  Teams are going to see the last 2 months and our trade value is going to be very low.  He is not fast enough to make up for size disadvantage. He will be traded but we aren’t going to get much back.  More a salary dump. 

Ya 5 mil a year for a second year player that scored 60pt is an over payment…

he knows what he’s worth and deserves more than that. I could see 5 a year for a smaller bridge deal but his trajectory is indicative of being at a higher value.

[Mateo3xm]

12 hours ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

I would dangle Rossi for rasmus anderson and sign him long term 5x7-8mm.  Then dangle Faber and something else to Buffalo for Tage Thompson or Ottawa for Brady or another team to get the 1C we need or top forward then fill in pieces with other trades to get us 3 more new top 9 fwds.  Let’s think big and be creative and for those saying it’s not possible it is.  Just takes outside the box thinking and some stones.  We want a cup not just a playoff birth.  

Are you 16 or something? These trades you come up with are ridiculous. This isn’t a video game.

[OldDutchChip]

28 minutes ago, Mateo3xm said:

Rossi just had a two pt night last night. He’s doing just fine.

Good for him!

But with or without the goal - he was a third best player on L4 

trenin stepped up and so did Braz