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

[WildNotMild]

16 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Right now, he's a top-20 center in the NHL. If you're saying he's got more coming, then hot damn, yeah, that's worth waiting for.

Top 20….wow what a dishonest take! Or did you measure it by points only? Of course you did! 

I don't think he'll be at that level in the near future -- the freaking Wild believe it. You know how good you have to be to even play playoff games the season after you're drafted??? Especially for an organization that wouldn't, for example, play Matt Boldy after destroying the AHL?

I guess you're the only smart enough to understand that four underwhelming games for a 19-year-old in the playoffs means they're five years away from doing anything.

You just don’t understand - the team has Kap in his prime, do you want to baby Rossi and skip a chance to win? You cannot be patient and win, you have to pick. I don’t really care how hard it easy for rooks, next it’ll be yurov and Zeev that need time- that’s a never ending loop. Sometimes you have to know when it’s time to go for it

So tired of this. You're being stunad if you think the Wild will be prioritizing anyone over Kaprizov at this point. He's signing, he's gonna be here for eight years whether or not they package Rossi and Zeev for Brady Tkachuk/Dylan Larkin/Tage Thompson/William Nylander -- a foursome of players who are so good at hockey that they've won two playoff series through 35 combined seasons. They're finally getting all this talent together, let it flourish. 

all this talent! Wow you serious? They have developed zero top tier talent after lucking out on Kap and you are happy? Weird

here answer these questions if you can -

1. what contract do you give Rossi if you are the GM
2. Would you trade Faber and Rossi for Tkachuk/Pasta/Nylander/Tage/Larkin
3. Do you think the status quo + Nelson is enough to entice Kap to sign and remain Wild for the rest of his career

Please answer that if all your big fish proposals are turned down, would you rather have Rossi for 7M for 8 years or Nelson for 7M for 4+years with clauses or Boeser for 8x8 with clauses?

Billy can call about BT, Pasta, Larkin, etc. (and maybe already has), but it is HIGHLY unlikely the Wild are getting any of them.  I understand you are more than willing to trade 2-3 players (Wally, Yurov, Buium, Jiricek, Faber and even Boldy) that are needed to fill the roster next season to get one of your desired big fish.  BUT, that depletes the depth and most likely cheaper contracts that the Wild need to really compete.  Or are you happy with the current bottom players in the lineup and having to play AHL players to back fill for whoever you trade away?

[OldDutchChip]

15 minutes ago, WildNotMild said:

Please answer that if all your big fish proposals are turned down, would you rather have Rossi for 7M for 8 years or Nelson for 7M for 4+years with clauses or Boeser for 8x8 with clauses?

Billy can call about BT, Pasta, Larkin, etc. (and maybe already has), but it is HIGHLY unlikely the Wild are getting any of them.  I understand you are more than willing to trade 2-3 players (Wally, Yurov, Buium, Jiricek, Faber and even Boldy) that are needed to fill the roster next season to get one of your desired big fish.  BUT, that depletes the depth and most likely cheaper contracts that the Wild need to really compete.  Or are you happy with the current bottom players in the lineup and having to play AHL players to back fill for whoever you trade away?

I want none of Nelson/Boeser/Rossi on the team next year

as for depth - there is free agency

Did I say that we send our Rossi and Boldy in the trade or Zeev and Faber?

 

[Will D. Ness]

4 hours ago, Protec said:

Rossi responded well after facing adversity before. That, if repeated will help Rossi wherever he plays. If he's frustrated, who can blame him? He is one kind of player. A small, finesse, skill-guy, not a speed-demon or power-forward. He's not a Tkachuk or Mark Stone who score playoff goals out of nowhere.(Maybe this year on Trenin setups.😁) MN is basically asking/wanting him to be a young Brock Nelson or Ryan O'Reilly. 

I hate to say it cause I came around to like Rossi, but he's not taking the pressure off Ek or changing the game's complexion just like Fiala didn't. When Zuccy and Rossi are replaced and some prospects get traded for a deadline guy like Tarasenko or Anders Lee, that's when the Wild can beat WPG, VGK, or Dallas, maybe.

Rossi found success with effort.  He is undersized, not overly fast but has good hands and stick.  He isn't going to win on pure athleticism but rather on his ability to develop technique and basically outwork the opposition.

Mentally, he has struggled, and is struggling.  He hasn't really cemented any sort of identity in his game... to be honest, I don't think he has really found it yet.  He has found success playing a more deliberate game but also was making strides playing at a higher pace.  My opinion is he will find his groove on the more deliberate side.

I thought Rossi was a complete bust too, but he did win me over as well.  The first half of this season, he played his best hockey, but maybe the pressure finally got to him again.  I think he might have reverted back to that passiveness we saw on his first stint, and that shit isn't going to cut it.  

He has some growing up to do, and my guess is that a change of scenery might be the best for both.

Now as far as what the Wild need, I would say we need to create GREEF 2025.  Let's clone Ek.  

[Tony Abbott]

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

Top 20….wow what a dishonest take! Or did you measure it by points only? Of course you did! 

WAR. He's 19th in WAR. He's 30th in points, which, hey, seems pretty good, too. If he's gonna get better, I'm waiting for that, for sure.

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

You just don’t understand - the team has Kap in his prime, do you want to baby Rossi and skip a chance to win? You cannot be patient and win, you have to pick. I don’t really care how hard it easy for rooks, next it’ll be yurov and Zeev that need time- that’s a never ending loop. Sometimes you have to know when it’s time to go for it

Tell that to Tampa Bay, I guess. Colorado, too. Homegrown model can work.

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

all this talent! Wow you serious? They have developed zero top tier talent after lucking out on Kap and you are happy? Weird

here answer these questions if you can -

1. what contract do you give Rossi if you are the GM
2. Would you trade Faber and Rossi for Tkachuk/Pasta/Nylander/Tage/Larkin
3. Do you think the status quo + Nelson is enough to entice Kap to sign and remain Wild for the rest of his career

Matt Boldy isn't it??? OK. 

These are easy, easy questions to answer:

1. If I could get Rossi for 8/56, I'm doing that in a heartbeat. If it ended up being 8/64, I'd still sign, knowing by the end of the deal it's a bargain.

2. If I'm trading two under-24 core pieces for one player, that player had better be a legit difference-maker. Not a 30-goal guy, not a 40-goal guy, but an MVP-caliber player. Pastrnak's the only one of those guys you have listed. I still don't know if I do that move -- you need centers and you need defensemen, and I don't know who backfills for either guy -- but Pastrnak's the only guy on your list I'd consider.

3. Yeah, partly because I don't think what the Wild do personnel-wise will factor into Kaprizov's decision. When you get limited to 41 games and a team says "We'll make you the highest-paid player in the league anyway," the opportunity to take in $120-128 million is gonna speak louder than any move Guerin's likely to pull off this summer.

[ArizonaWildFan]

23 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

I want none of Nelson/Boeser/Rossi on the team next year

as for depth - there is free agency

I agree with 2/3 of what you write, ODC. I don't want either of the Brock's, but am afraid we are going to end up with one of them, Nelson. I think you're going to get your wish on Rossi and I would disagree with that move.

As far as free agency, what do you think of Marchand? He's the darling of south Florida right now after knocking Toronto out in game 7 and moving on to the Eastern Conference finals. He's a UFA this summer.

It took him seven seasons to reach the point production Rossi achieved in three. He's also 5'9" and 180 lbs. He's 37 and Rossi is 23.

The point that I am trying to make is that if the Bruins would have taken the approach with Marchand at the same point in his career as the Wild are taking with Rossi, they would have made a huge mistake.

Marco Rossi could be the next Brad Marchand and at bargain basement prices. Marchand is in the final year of his contract at a little over $6M AAV. That's for a 37 year old. Guerin could have probably had Rossi for that or a little more last summer and would have had a 31 year old for that amount down the road when similar players will be making more than twice that amount.

Why can't you and the Wild (defective) brain trust see that? I always thought the Dutch and Austrians loved one another?

[Will D. Ness]

59 minutes ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

I don't think that taking Guerin's used Hummer with salvage yard spare parts over the difficult mountain roads is the answer, though. I'd prefer to take a Suburban on the interstate.

The long road to the top is uphill and rocky.  Corvettes get destroyed by the terrain.  Suburbans are too top heavy and likely to roll.

What you need is an enduro.  Dynamic and balanced for all terrain.  The ability to adapt to conditions is key.  It won't win a hill climb.  It won't win a drag race.  It won't win all battles... but it might win the war.

[OldDutchChip]

23 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

WAR. He's 19th in WAR. He's 30th in points, which, hey, seems pretty good, too. If he's gonna get better, I'm waiting for that, for sure.

Tell that to Tampa Bay, I guess. Colorado, too. Homegrown model can work.

Matt Boldy isn't it??? OK. 

These are easy, easy questions to answer:

1. If I could get Rossi for 8/56, I'm doing that in a heartbeat. If it ended up being 8/64, I'd still sign, knowing by the end of the deal it's a bargain.

2. If I'm trading two under-24 core pieces for one player, that player had better be a legit difference-maker. Not a 30-goal guy, not a 40-goal guy, but an MVP-caliber player. Pastrnak's the only one of those guys you have listed. I still don't know if I do that move -- you need centers and you need defensemen, and I don't know who backfills for either guy -- but Pastrnak's the only guy on your list I'd consider.

3. Yeah, partly because I don't think what the Wild do personnel-wise will factor into Kaprizov's decision. When you get limited to 41 games and a team says "We'll make you the highest-paid player in the league anyway," the opportunity to take in $120-128 million is gonna speak louder than any move Guerin's likely to pull off this summer.

Tell that to Tampa Bay, I guess. Colorado, too. Homegrown model can work. 

Do we have stamkos Herman kucherov Vasy and point equivalent on our team?

Or maybe Macar, MacK, Ranty, Landy?

I think our homegrown talent is a bit behind what they had, no?

Matt Boldy isn't it??? OK. 

He is NOT a star yet

These are easy, easy questions to answer:

1. If I could get Rossi for 8/56, I'm doing that in a heartbeat. If it ended up being 8/64, I'd still sign, knowing by the end of the deal it's a bargain.

Ok fair enough, I wouldn’t go LT and push for Bridge (might benefit both parties)

2. If I'm trading two under-24 core pieces for one player, that player had better be a legit difference-maker. Not a 30-goal guy, not a 40-goal guy, but an MVP-caliber player. Pastrnak's the only one of those guys you have listed. I still don't know if I do that move -- you need centers and you need defensemen, and I don't know who backfills for either guy -- but Pastrnak's the only guy on your list I'd consider.

Well at least you considered! 🙂 

3. Yeah, partly because I don't think what the Wild do personnel-wise will factor into Kaprizov's decision. When you get limited to 41 games and a team says "We'll make you the highest-paid player in the league anyway," the opportunity to take in $120-128 million is gonna speak louder than any move Guerin's likely to pull off this summer.

He wants to win. He will get paid well anywhere, literally anywhere - because Cap increase will allow most teams to fit him in. (Not to mention he may have other needs other than $ and has enough of that already) And you think he will pick us because we may offer a few million more? He is 28, won nothing in his time here, but addition of couple of unknown rookies and has-been Nelson is going to be fine w him? I guess I like your optimism 

[Tony Abbott]

Huge difference between "get paid" and "get paid the highest amount of anyone in the NHL." If he waits a year, gets hurt, misses 20-30 games, how much money does he lose? $40 million? More, when you account that he can only get 7 years in UFA?

He's taking the money. 

[OldDutchChip]

33 minutes ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

I agree with 2/3 of what you write, ODC. I don't want either of the Brock's, but am afraid we are going to end up with one of them, Nelson. I think you're going to get your wish on Rossi and I would disagree with that move.

As far as free agency, what do you think of Marchand? He's the darling of south Florida right now after knocking Toronto out in game 7 and moving on to the Eastern Conference finals. He's a UFA this summer.

It took him seven seasons to reach the point production Rossi achieved in three. He's also 5'9" and 180 lbs. He's 37 and Rossi is 23.

The point that I am trying to make is that if the Bruins would have taken the approach with Marchand at the same point in his career as the Wild are taking with Rossi, they would have made a huge mistake.

Marco Rossi could be the next Brad Marchand and at bargain basement prices. Marchand is in the final year of his contract at a little over $6M AAV. That's for a 37 year old. Guerin could have probably had Rossi for that or a little more last summer and would have had a 31 year old for that amount down the road when similar players will be making more than twice that amount.

Why can't you and the Wild (defective) brain trust see that? I always thought the Dutch and Austrians loved one another?

🍻 I would stay away from 2 Brocks and Marchand (too old)

focus should be on getting a star to align with Kap

stars win in this league and we are playing catchup 

As for Rossi being young Marchand …. That’s not a correct comp - rewatch Marchand v Subban first fight and tell me if you can expect it from Rossi

better comp is granny and galchenyuk

[OldDutchChip]

1 minute ago, Tony Abbott said:

Huge difference between "get paid" and "get paid the highest amount of anyone in the NHL." If he waits a year, gets hurt, misses 20-30 games, how much money does he lose? $40 million? More, when you account that he can only get 7 years in UFA?

He's taking the money. 

What if Rossi gets hurt? 
should he take 5X5?

why does Kap needs to get hurt? 
he seemed to be fine playing after injury

[Tony Abbott]

It's the risk. Kaprizov could have 120 million on July 1, or he could roll the dice, wait a year to go to UFA, and get seven years instead of eight, all while hoping that he still plays like an MVP and doesn't get hurt again.

It's called "betting on yourself" for a reason, and part of betting on yourself means you might lose.

I can't imagine too many players are going to "bet on themselves" when they have a guaranteed $120 million sitting in front of them.

[Tony Abbott]

31 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

better comp is granny and galchenyuk

How?

Neither guy stuck at center. Granlund is a pure perimeter player, while Rossi goes to the net and scores goals. Galchenyuk was one of the five worst defensive forwards we've seen in the last 20 years. 

[OldDutchChip]

7 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

It's the risk. Kaprizov could have 120 million on July 1, or he could roll the dice, wait a year to go to UFA, and get seven years instead of eight, all while hoping that he still plays like an MVP and doesn't get hurt again.

It's called "betting on yourself" for a reason, and part of betting on yourself means you might lose.

I can't imagine too many players are going to "bet on themselves" when they have a guaranteed $120 million sitting in front of them.

There’s no betting on yourself w Kap - everyone knows what type of player he is

he can join Sasha and Matthew and win few more cups by taking a pay cut and then get one more huge contract after

we don’t know any of that

But we can give ourselves the best chance and we seem to think that money is his first appeal - well we will find out this summer if you are right

I don’t think you are 

[OldDutchChip]

Just now, Tony Abbott said:

How?

Neither guy stuck at center. Granlund is a pure perimeter player, while Rossi goes to the net and scores goals. Galchenyuk was one of the five worst defensive forwards we've seen in the last 20 years. 

Granlund was brought in to play C

and I thought played that even recently? 

And he did go to the net - I have an image of him tripping and scoring against hawks - so it much have happened!!

dont hate on Galy, he is one of us and maybe Bill will bring him back! 🍀 

[Tony Abbott]

5 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Granlund was brought in to play C

and I thought played that even recently? 

And he did go to the net - I have an image of him tripping and scoring against hawks - so it much have happened!!

dont hate on Galy, he is one of us and maybe Bill will bring him back! 🍀 

Granlund didn't produce in Minnesota until he was moved to the wing. He was a 40-point guy as a center. 

Granlund's scored just 16 goals per 82 games in his career. Three 20-goal seasons. If you wanna call that getting to the net, awesome, bring him in as your game-changer. (BTW, Rossi already scores 20 per 82 games for his career and has two 20-goal seasons.)

[Tony Abbott]

12 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

There’s no betting on yourself w Kap - everyone knows what type of player he is

he can join Sasha and Matthew and win few more cups by taking a pay cut and then get one more huge contract after

we don’t know any of that

But we can give ourselves the best chance and we seem to think that money is his first appeal - well we will find out this summer if you are right

I don’t think you are 

I think if there was any indication Minnesota wasn't gonna be able to get it done, we'd be hearing about it already. 

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, Tony Abbott said:

Granlund didn't produce in Minnesota until he was moved to the wing. He was a 40-point guy as a center. 

Granlund's scored just 16 goals per 82 games in his career. Three 20-goal seasons. If you wanna call that getting to the net, awesome, bring him in as your game-changer. (BTW, Rossi already scores 20 per 82 games for his career and has two 20-goal seasons.)

different time, different circumstances....are we really going to pretend that granlund played with anyone closely resembling Kap? it helps when you are not the primary threat. or even secondary. 

Granlund's scored just 16 goals per 82 games in his career. Three 20-goal seasons. If you wanna call that getting to the net, awesome, bring him in as your game-changer. what is the connection here between goals and getting to the net? granlund went to the net as many times as Rossi. Rossi just has better support around him. 

For the record i do not want Granlund - but as a comp for Rossi - he is not too bad of a player. Better than Marchand or Point. 

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, Tony Abbott said:

I think if there was any indication Minnesota wasn't gonna be able to get it done, we'd be hearing about it already. 

not sure why....but we'll see. 

i do hope you are correct, but i just don't think you are

[WildNotMild]

3 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

I want none of Nelson/Boeser/Rossi on the team next year

as for depth - there is free agency

Did I say that we send our Rossi and Boldy in the trade or Zeev and Faber?

 

Well, it won’t surprise most of us on this platform when we end up with Nelson and/or Boeser and Rossi is gone.  Since that is a real and likely possibility, maybe you can understand why some think Rossi should be kept instead of getting Nelson and Boeser.

Free agency almost always costs more than a team keeping its own players.  With the players you want in your proposed fantasy trades, there won’t be a lot of money, if any, left.  

Yes, you have said to trade 2-3 of the Wild’s best young players for BT, Larkin, Pasta, etc.  If you are having trouble keeping track of everything you say, think of how the rest of us feel.

I would love for the Wild to keep Rossi and sign Eichel in free agency.  

 

[Need4speed99]

4 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

You cannot have it both ways 

when you have an opportunity- you must act 

ours should be winning

Rossi is not a star right now and we need a star next to Kap

I think you misunderstood. I agree we need stars so unless the move is putting Rossi in a package to get a rant, tachuck, caliber player it's dumb to trade him.

If they flip him for prospects and or picks, even dumber.

I think we are more or less agreeing I just didn't do a good job of expressing that I DO NOT want to see Rossi traded the only way it should ever happen would be to add another absolute star. Not a boeser or Bennet type player. Very good but not elite.

[Need4speed99]

9 hours ago, AKwildkraken said:

Nyquist was an overpay,, Jiricek is too early to tell and Brazeau was mediocre.  But you said Billy will trade for grit originally and I'm pointing out that he didn't trade for grit last year.  

Also I would argue that we lost the series because we let too many goals in.  I didn't get to see game 4 or 5, so I went back to look at the +/- on the last three games and it seemed Ek, Kaprizov and Boldy were on the ice for more than a fair share of the goals as they were on the minus side two of the three games.  Foligno and Hartman were on the plus side and had a good series.  I don't think grit lost the series for us.  I think our skill guys got tired and eventually outplayed in long run.  To your point about scoring more goals, I agree we need a better second line or more skill and size in the top six.

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.

[OldDutchChip]

23 minutes ago, WildNotMild said:

Well, it won’t surprise most of us on this platform when we end up with Nelson and/or Boeser and Rossi is gone.  Since that is a real and likely possibility, maybe you can understand why some think Rossi should be kept instead of getting Nelson and Boeser.

Free agency almost always costs more than a team keeping its own players.  With the players you want in your proposed fantasy trades, there won’t be a lot of money, if any, left.  

Yes, you have said to trade 2-3 of the Wild’s best young players for BT, Larkin, Pasta, etc.  If you are having trouble keeping track of everything you say, think of how the rest of us feel.

I would love for the Wild to keep Rossi and sign Eichel in free agency.  

 

haha yeah we can all finally get on the same page when Nelson signing is announced. and yes i agree, having Rossi is better than Nelson. but not by much. 

we should not be filling our top 6 with players on their last tour or players that still need time to grow. we need players that are ready to win now in our top 6 - that align with Kap's timeline.

i know it's a drastic move - but that is why i am pitching Rossi plus either Faber or Zeev for Pasta or Tkachuk (i know we all prefer for it to be Ohgren and Lambos - but that is not a conversation starter).

The above deal gives Kap a chance to play with a star. Then fill in the D as needed.

Oilers are basically playing without any D and have two superstars that are taking them much further than we ever did! And if we give Kap either Pasta or Tkachuk - we will have the same type of a chance. 

When you ice this type of team - playing defense gets a bit easier - Kap EK Boldy Tkachuk (or Pasta) Yurov Zuccy Harty Foligno....

[Need4speed99]

4 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Great stuff all around, folks. I love the passion. There are a bunch of routes to get to a Cup and we argue about which one to take. We won't know the correct answer until, or if, we get there. But we can study the paths that others successfully take and use it as a map.

It starts with the navigator, ownership and management. That group does choose the path with the coaches, players and funding they provide. Next comes the drivers, who are the coaches, and they take what the navigator gives them and maneuver their vehicle as they see fit on the journey. Finally comes the vehicle, the players. They accelerate, slow down, brake, turn, etc as directed by the driver.

All three have to work together to have a successful trip. Each one on it's own doesn't have to be the best, but they have to be very good individually and able to work as one.

The Wild have a navigator who chooses the hardest path; going over winding mountain roads, which leads to detours, bad weather, mechanical breakdowns and running out of gas and money before finishing the trip.

In his mind he wants and needs a Hummer to take his path, but that path doesn't get you to a Cup. It can keep you in the race for a while, but the Porsches, Corvettes and Escalades kick your butt heading to the finish line. He doesn't realize or accept the fact that he's in a race, not a demolition derby,

The driver, honestly I can't accurately evaluate our driver. He doesn't have a great record, especially down the stretch, but the maps and vehicles he's been given in the past may not have allowed him to be successful. Let him have another season and see what happens.

Our vehicle? At times it performs like an Indy car and at others it won't even start. Do we need a complete overhaul, a tune up, new tires (or just a rotation), do we go with new parts or replacement parts from the salvage yard? I don't know the answer and none of us do.

I don't think that taking Guerin's used Hummer with salvage yard spare parts over the difficult mountain roads is the answer, though. I'd prefer to take a Suburban on the interstate.

My argument has always been that the Wild don't change. Guerin is looking very much like fletcher did. Signing aging vets overpaying for mid to low level talent. Great prospect pool but never giving them a chance or being able to develop them.

Always mediocre. Just good enough to possibly make the playoffs never good enough To go anywhere and never bad enough to get possible superstar prospects. Perpetually mediocre.

So far, liepold and billy have shown NO desire to change. 

[OldDutchChip]

22 minutes ago, Need4speed99 said:

I think you misunderstood. I agree we need stars so unless the move is putting Rossi in a package to get a rant, tachuck, caliber player it's dumb to trade him.

If they flip him for prospects and or picks, even dumber.

I think we are more or less agreeing I just didn't do a good job of expressing that I DO NOT want to see Rossi traded the only way it should ever happen would be to add another absolute star. Not a boeser or Bennet type player. Very good but not elite.

yeap i'm with ya 🍻

would jackets entertain Rossi + Freddy for Marchenko? 😉

 

[Tony Abbott]

25 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

different time, different circumstances....are we really going to pretend that granlund played with anyone closely resembling Kap? it helps when you are not the primary threat. or even secondary. 

Granlund's scored just 16 goals per 82 games in his career. Three 20-goal seasons. If you wanna call that getting to the net, awesome, bring him in as your game-changer. what is the connection here between goals and getting to the net? granlund went to the net as many times as Rossi. Rossi just has better support around him. 

For the record i do not want Granlund - but as a comp for Rossi - he is not too bad of a player. Better than Marchand or Point. 

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.