Article: The Wild Are Letting the Tail Wag the Dog With Marco Rossi

[Need4speed99]

4 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

yeap i'm with ya 🍻

would jackets entertain Rossi + Freddy for Marchenko? 😉

 

To be fair if billy could pull off a fleece of something similar to that, I'd probably forgive him for a couple years. 

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

Dog, that's on you to prove. No Wild fan is going to go, yeah, Granlund goes to the net as much as Rossi did. It's objectively untrue -- look at the two players' career expected goal numbers. Rossi's definitely an inside player and Granlund's definitely a perimeter guy.

Power play is the X-factor for Point, but Rossi's stats are very comparable with Point at 5-on-5 at that age, both in terms of scoring and underlying numbers.

 

Look at that net presence!

and fine, Rossi is next coming of Point and Marchand. 

 

 

[WildNotMild]

6 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Look at that net presence!

and fine, Rossi is next coming of Point and Marchand. 

 

 

There is a HUGE difference between trying to fake the goalie out with a move while driving to the net (Granlund) versus standing in front of the paint with your back to the goalie taking punishment from the defenders to screen the goalie and deflect pucks (Rossi).

Come on ODC, you don’t have to argue everything, especially something like this.  Outside of JEE, I would argue that Rossi played most consistently around the net on offense than any other Wild player this year.

[Need4speed99]

Olddutch to be fair on the argument for Rossi. I wholeheartedly agree with Tony.

Granlund never had the upside Rossi has shown. Not to mention he was the definition of finesse type. Rossi has shown a willingness to get in front of the net, moreso than granlund ever did.

I'm not on the train of Rossi being a superstar but I do think he is a good no 2 center now and still could be a 1. He may not ever be McKinnon or McDavid but if he gets to 70 or 80 pts thats very good.

That's why my first move is not to trade him and the only way you do,you and I both agree on. 

I'm more animated on the trading of Rossi because I just watch history and see geurin having someone that he doesn't like and therefore doesn't want him so he's going to send him down the road for a unproven prospect which would cause the Wild to loose even more production and skill. Then guerin overpay a mid level to good talent for too much tenure and money and the team continues with mediocrity.

 

Edited May 19 by Need4speed99

[ArizonaWildFan]

3 hours ago, Will D. Ness said:

Dynamic and balanced for all terrain.  The ability to adapt to conditions is key

Very nice addition to the analogy, Will. Completely agree on dynamic and balanced on the roster as well as adaptability. Would like to see more adaptability, or at least a willingness to adapt, in the front office and behind the bench.

I have no problem with a team having an identity, which the Wild claim to have. I think it's important, but it has to be the right one. Instead of, "We are hard to play against", how about "We are hard to beat"?

[OldDutchChip]

5 minutes ago, WildNotMild said:

There is a HUGE difference between trying to fake the goalie out with a move while driving to the net (Granlund) versus standing in front of the paint with your back to the goalie taking punishment from the defenders to screen the goalie and deflect pucks (Rossi).

Come on ODC, you don’t have to argue everything, especially something like this.  Outside of JEE, I would argue that Rossi played most consistently around the net on offense than any other Wild player this year.

are we seriously going to say that THAT is the game that Rossi plays? the net front specialist? it took Zuccy loosing a ball for Rossi to finally get near the net! i guess he is there by necessity. Ek can't be there all the time. and last time i saw Granny he was more willing to go to the net. maybe without bruno and koivu and ZP and all the other net front superstars of old - granny was fine being on the outside....i'll concede to this. 

[OldDutchChip]

11 minutes ago, Need4speed99 said:

Olddutch to be fair on the argument for Rossi. I wholeheartedly agree with Tony.

Granlund never had the upside Rossi has shown. Not to mention he was the definition of finesse type. Rossi has shown a willingness to get in front of the net, moreso than granlund ever did.

I'm not on the train of Rossi being a superstar but I do think he is a good no 2 center now and still could be a 1. He may not ever be McKinnon or McDavid but if he gets to 70 or 80 pts thats very good.

That's why my first move is not to trade him and the only way you do,you and I both agree on. 

I'm more animated on the trading of Rossi because I just watch history and see geurin having someone that he doesn't like and therefore doesn't want him so he's going to send him down the road for a unproven prospect which would cause the Wild to loose even more production and skill. Then guerin overpay a mid level to good talent for too much tenure and money and the team continues with mediocrity.

 

ho ho ho hold up! upside? Granny was supposed to be THE biggest import outside of Vlady Tarasenko! he was celebrated as Finnish god, if memory serves me well. And women cried when Granny stepped on the ice! they named babies after him! and babies cried! so definitely NO -  Granny had more upside

[ArizonaWildFan]

4 hours ago, Will D. Ness said:

Let's clone Ek.  

Hey ODC, just read something about a guy that may make your wish come true. Sounds like the Blues will be dangling that carrot known as Oskar Sundqvist to the league this summer.

6'3" 209 lb Swedish center, 31 years old, knows the Wild system and one year left on his contract at $1.5M. 6G/14A in the regular season and 1G/1A in the playoffs. Almost Ek's clone.

Could we get him for Rossi straight up or do you think we would have to add a fat defenseman and a couple picks? Make a splash this off-season? Hell, if you could land the Big O that would be a freaking cannonball!

[ArizonaWildFan]

Disclaimer: My latest post was in jest and was not intended to give Bill Guerin suggestions or advice. I hope Mr. Guerin does not read the post and does not acquire Oskar Sundqvist, ever!

[Enforceror]

If we're giving up Rossi, I think we get a wing for him in trade to offset value. I'd have my sights on Peterka (who is rumored to be wanting out of Buffalo). Not sure if it's a 1:1 trade but I think any add-ons on our part would be do-able. I don't think we'll be able to get Guenther.

We can then spend on a FA center. Although not my first choice, Duchene or Nelson (if he takes a discount) might be ok for two years, long enough to see what we have in Yurov. I'd rather have Bennett or Larkin but I doubt that's happening. 

Boldy - Ek - KK

Peterka - Nelson/Duchene - Zucc/Ohgren

Foligno - Yurov - Hartman

Trenin - Gadreau - Braz/Vino/Ohgren

With this, we still have some cap space to make a trade for further upgrades.

 

[AKwildkraken]

1 hour ago, Need4speed99 said:

His moves are for grit guys. Other than foligno and Hartman, brazaue, shore, trenin, Freddy were absolute garbage.

Bringing in trenin and Brazeau were the epitome of going out getting gritty type players. 

I'm saying that you aren't going to win with a team comprised of that and over the hill vets which is mainly the wild's makeup.

He is so concerned with size and old school style of play he fails to see the game has changed. These playoffs are high scoring. Even with fantastic goal tending still seeing more teams put up 4+ pts than years ago. Florida is one of the smallest teams yet they are deep and skilled and get production from all lines.

Rather than putting such emphasis on big gritty guys, it should be on skill and production. Sprinkle in some youth a bit more. See if some of these highly skilled prospects can do.

But I'm afraid he's going to overpay for some good players but not elite and give them long tenured until they are in their later 30s and put the team right back into a parise/suter predicament.

I have disagree on Trenin and Brazeau being garbage as they weren't the reason we lost against Vegas. 

Although, I agree with your point of skill.  I think it was lack of skilled depth on the second line made us rely on Ek, Boldy, and Kaprizov too much.  

As far as the Panthers are concerned, they play with a chip on their shoulder which could be considered as gritty in my opinion.  They are on average towards the smaller size, but I think play a tough shutdown style of hockey.  

On your last paragraph, I absolutely agree with you.  We don't need to be getting older, but who is elite and available?  That being said I hope we don't go out and spend foolishly this summer, which we agree on.

[SkolWild73]

For all of those interested in Brady T., here is an article about him after Ottawa was eliminated.  Doesn’t sound like a guy that wants out.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/markets/nhl-trade-rumors-is-brady-tkachuk-staying-loyal-to-the-senators-or-setting-up-a-surprise-exit/ar-AA1Emycv

[WildNotMild]

1 hour ago, Enforceror said:

If we're giving up Rossi, I think we get a wing for him in trade to offset value. I'd have my sights on Peterka (who is rumored to be wanting out of Buffalo). Not sure if it's a 1:1 trade but I think any add-ons on our part would be do-able. I don't think we'll be able to get Guenther.

We can then spend on a FA center. Although not my first choice, Duchene or Nelson (if he takes a discount) might be ok for two years, long enough to see what we have in Yurov. I'd rather have Bennett or Larkin but I doubt that's happening. 

Boldy - Ek - KK

Peterka - Nelson/Duchene - Zucc/Ohgren

Foligno - Yurov - Hartman

Trenin - Gadreau - Braz/Vino/Ohgren

With this, we still have some cap space to make a trade for further upgrades.

 

What are your thoughts on Eichel?  Not sure Vegas would trade him, but they are always playing with the cap and LTIR.

[Enforceror]

7 minutes ago, WildNotMild said:

What are your thoughts on Eichel?  Not sure Vegas would trade him, but they are always playing with the cap and LTIR.

I highly doubt Vegas will give up Eichel. Obviously, he would make our team better but the 10M cap hit (current AAV) would be difficult without major lineup changes. Spurg seems to be the target to grab cap space but I'm not convinced that's the answer. That's why I was thinking we spend to get a "tier 2" center to back up Ek and trade to get a "tier 2" wing on the second line. That'd give us three lines once the roster shuffled down. I just don't see us making a giant splash, but we may only need a couple upgrades if we can get the right players.

[Pewterschmidt]

7 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Why can't you and the Wild (defective) brain trust see that?

Because making comparisons between Rossi and Marchand are like comparing apples and flip flops

[OldDutchChip]

3 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Hey ODC, just read something about a guy that may make your wish come true. Sounds like the Blues will be dangling that carrot known as Oskar Sundqvist to the league this summer.

6'3" 209 lb Swedish center, 31 years old, knows the Wild system and one year left on his contract at $1.5M. 6G/14A in the regular season and 1G/1A in the playoffs. Almost Ek's clone.

Could we get him for Rossi straight up or do you think we would have to add a fat defenseman and a couple picks? Make a splash this off-season? Hell, if you could land the Big O that would be a freaking cannonball!

right cause all along i have been wanting us to load up on slow 4th liners past their prime. you got me 😉

 

[OldDutchChip]

2 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

For all of those interested in Brady T., here is an article about him after Ottawa was eliminated.  Doesn’t sound like a guy that wants out.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/markets/nhl-trade-rumors-is-brady-tkachuk-staying-loyal-to-the-senators-or-setting-up-a-surprise-exit/ar-AA1Emycv

ranty also was blind sided - but these things happen

[OldDutchChip]

22 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Because making comparisons between Rossi and Marchand are like comparing apples and flip flops

but stats say they are the same! don't bring sense into this Pewty!

[SkolWild73]

24 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

ranty also was blind sided - but these things happen

True, but was in a contract year for Ranty.  Doesn’t happen very often to those that are not.

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, SkolWild73 said:

True, but was in a contract year for Ranty.  Doesn’t happen very often to those that are not.

right but remember this blind sided Ranty, he was in shock! so there are always option - it's just a matter of having balls to deal and you just never know who is available until you are a serious trade partner. not going to hurt to find out how home sick tkachuk is in the foreign canadian land! boston may want to do a full tear-down and may love 2nd ranked prospect joining their starved development program, and sabres - i mean isn't it time for them to start over....again? 

don't just commit at minnesotans who want to come home. please don't. 

[RedLake]

I think Benn signs a 2 year contract

[SkolWild73]

30 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

right but remember this blind sided Ranty, he was in shock! so there are always option - it's just a matter of having balls to deal and you just never know who is available until you are a serious trade partner. not going to hurt to find out how home sick tkachuk is in the foreign canadian land! boston may want to do a full tear-down and may love 2nd ranked prospect joining their starved development program, and sabres - i mean isn't it time for them to start over....again? 

don't just commit at minnesotans who want to come home. please don't. 

I agree with not committing to almost any of the free agents that are available.  
 

As far as a trade goes, it doesn’t hurt to call, but I just don’t remember a trade for a top player in the last 20 years, during the off-season, that was not in a contract year.

Which is why I feel the most realistic solution is to resign Rossi and another free agent and see where we are at the trade deadline.  Usually more players available at that time.

[mnhockeyfan03]

To truly get better this team has to free up cap space on our D.  One of Spurg or Faber need to go.  We have way too much money tied up in our D.  Teams are not doing that anymore.  They are stacking up their top 6.  Zucc is another guy that needs to go.  Trading Rossi, Faber or Spurg, Zucc we can free up a lot of space to get better through trades or free agency. Be smart Billy and go for it.   Make MN a destination by always wanting to go for a cup like other teams.  Be ruthless and no player safe that can make the team better.  The Vegas and Panthers GM isn’t there to make friends with the players.  He is there to win a cup.  Something Billy should take note of.  This is a business.  

[OldDutchChip]

31 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

I agree with not committing to almost any of the free agents that are available.  
 

As far as a trade goes, it doesn’t hurt to call, but I just don’t remember a trade for a top player in the last 20 years, during the off-season, that was not in a contract year.

Which is why I feel the most realistic solution is to resign Rossi and another free agent and see where we are at the trade deadline.  Usually more players available at that time.

thanks mate. i get that point and understand the realistic limitations here. we are not exactly gifted with the most strategic and innovative front office. so let's hope for the best. 

[Need4speed99]

On 5/19/2025 at 2:53 PM, OldDutchChip said:

ho ho ho hold up! upside? Granny was supposed to be THE biggest import outside of Vlady Tarasenko! he was celebrated as Finnish god, if memory serves me well. And women cried when Granny stepped on the ice! they named babies after him! and babies cried! so definitely NO -  Granny had more upside

Granlund had more HYPE. He dazzled on the larger rinks with open space but it took him 5 yrs to hit 60 pts and only did it twice with the Wild. He's only past 20 goals 3 times in his career.

Rossi hit 60 in his 2nd full season going over 20 goals as well. Granlund was never a huge goal scorer he got a lot of assists though. At this point I'd say he has more upside.

Edited May 21 by Need4speed99