Article: Minnesota's Rossi Qualms Highlight A Flaw With Its Cap Hell Draft Strategy

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, MacGyver said:

Rossi wants or at least wanted to be here. This alone makes him a unicorn for the Wild.

Wild faithful: we have to come to grips with the reality that the Wild org. Is a second tier destination in the league

[mnfaninnc]

14 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

I think 5'-5" 140# Cole Caufield is signed for just under 8. Rossi isn't that small and he goes in front of the net goes into the corners and fights for the puck. It's a mistake to think he isn't worth it because he's 1 or 2 inches short of some 'so called' cutoff line...

I don't think "short" is the issue here. We all heard how he had a big summer 2 years ago, but at the end of the season this year, he just looked small, both short and light. My eye test said he was also getting knocked around more. 

I stand by my opinion that a short, strong guy has leverage, and to me Rossi had lost some strength, specifically, lower body strength. I also think he needs to bulk up this summer and not just to throw bodychecks, but to take the punishment and to fend off checks. A short, stocky, strong guy is a nemesis to larger defenders because they are much quicker and can easily shift the leverage to their advantage. This is how Matt Dumba was able to blow up middleweights who were taller than him. 

I'm not saying that Rossi will offensively use his strength, he needs it more for countermeasures for when contact is initiated against him. A stronger lower hand should help him in the dot. And a stronger lower body should help him in the home plate area. This is the best solution to all involved. 

I would be in favor of him having to weigh in before training camp and perform some strength goals, both lower and upper body and have a bonus attached to that. Since it would be at the start of the season, I would think failure to execute here would lower the cap number? But, Mr. Cheatachu would have to verify that thought. My thinking is that the CBA recognizes performance bonuses as being made regardless of how difficult they may be, until they aren't. Performance bonuses on ELCs I think are different, for instance on puckpedia, we have an overage in bonuses of $1.1m that subtracts off of this year's cap.

[mnfaninnc]

8 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

In the end Rossi is probably going to sign with the Wild for around 7 million and that is going to be the Christmas morning for the Wild. 

I hope, in the end means not this year. Rossi is not a $7m player and he has a lot more work to do than Boldy did to become a $7m player. It all stems to another huge offseason for him. Everything plays off of if he can get stronger and come in around 195. For the detractors of this strategy, 195 is a target number that is pretty much arbitrary, but would be "heavy" for his height. And, he needs to be heavy for his height. With that, I could see a little extra edge work to make him a bit shiftier. 

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, MacGyver said:

A 5X5 offer from Billy is a ok if we can get you on the cheap we will keep you around and let you play fourth line minutes kind of an offer. Offer him 6X1 or 2 on a prove it bridge deal and see what the response is.

I think $6m x 1 is too high for Rossi. I could see a $4.5m x 2 being more fair. Rossi is not at this time a $6m player. He's got way too much he needs to improve on to be at that level. Yes, he had 60 points and has really good vision, but the off the puck stuff leaves a lot to be desired. 

If you simply qualify him and see what happens with the offer sheets, then go from there. If the offer sheet is $7m from a decent team, I think you have to match. If it's from a crummy team, take the compensation. The 1st is not lottery protected in '26.

[Sam]

5 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I think $6m x 1 is too high for Rossi. I could see a $4.5m x 2 being more fair. Rossi is not at this time a $6m player. He's got way too much he needs to improve on to be at that level. Yes, he had 60 points and has really good vision, but the off the puck stuff leaves a lot to be desired. 

If you simply qualify him and see what happens with the offer sheets, then go from there. If the offer sheet is $7m from a decent team, I think you have to match. If it's from a crummy team, take the compensation. The 1st is not lottery protected in '26.

Aren’t we paying Yak somewhere around $4.5m a year? Rossi would surely ask for more.

[Will D. Ness]

Lundell is the benchmark.  One could argue that Lundell has more value at this point.

I don't think 7x7 for Rossi is market value but we will find out soon enough.

Just think all of this probably could have been avoided with a 6x5 deal, but Rossi's agent wanted to play hardball without the leverage to do so.  

[FredJohnson]

The Wild have made the playoffs in 11 of the past 13 years, but haven’t made it out of the first round since 2014-15. They don’t have enough skill to win in the playoffs.

I thought it was because every player has to be at least 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. If they aren’t there is no way they can possibly play in the playoffs.

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

Aren’t we paying Yak somewhere around $4.5m a year? Rossi would surely ask for more.

$3.5 AAV.  About $2M too much, except for 6 playoff games when he’s relevant and earns $2.5M

[ArizonaWildFan]

IMO the best thing that happened to the Wild organization this past season was Matt Boldy playing in the Four Nations. He came back a better player because he was surrounded by elite talent and saw first hand what it takes to be that type of player.

When the world's best players from those four countries were on the PK or the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines, or not on the PP, they demonstrated a selfless, team oriented, win at all cost mentality and attitude. That is what is missing in the Wild organization along with many other mid to lower tier franchises.

Boldy came back and started playing the PK and the PK improved. In my mind, he became our version of Jack Eichel upon his return.

The Wild need to stop focusing on height, weight and experience (age) and start looking at existing player's and prospect's skills and strengths. After identifying what individual players can and cannot do well, design and implement systems and styles of play that are suited to the talent.

To use a football analogy, Billy wants a team full of veteran offensive and defensive lineman who can also throw, carry and catch the football. He's not going to land those players because they don't exist in quantity.

Final thought: BG thinks of Rossi as being soft, right? Who was the softest player on the roster last season? In my mind it was Johansson. And who was the first contract signed this offseason? When you are wrong you are wrong and you swallow your pride and don't repeat your mistakes. GMBG sucks but, he obviously doesn't swallow.

[MacGyver]

9 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

It all stems to another huge offseason for him. Everything plays off of if he can get stronger and come in around 195.

Don't disagree with this but I think Rossi is done being Billy's mouse on the treadmill. He did everything asked of him to this point and all he's been hearing for two seasons is how Billy wants to trade him and his soft skills. He may very well do what you are suggesting but I think he would sooner do it somewhere else. Kid has lost his motivation being on this team and that's a damn shame. Blame him, blame Billy blame whomever you want but when that happens it's time to move on. 

Edited June 5 by MacGyver

[Mateo3xm]

12 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I think $6m x 1 is too high for Rossi. I could see a $4.5m x 2 being more fair. Rossi is not at this time a $6m player. He's got way too much he needs to improve on to be at that level. Yes, he had 60 points and has really good vision, but the off the puck stuff leaves a lot to be desired. 

If you simply qualify him and see what happens with the offer sheets, then go from there. If the offer sheet is $7m from a decent team, I think you have to match. If it's from a crummy team, take the compensation. The 1st is not lottery protected in '26.

4.5 mil is insulting for a player that good that works that hard. He’s absolutely worth 6 on a bridge deal. Rossi plays a lot harder position than Boldy. Guarin is being his usual asshole self and trying to lowball him knowing he could turn out to be an extremely good player in 2-3 years if he continues on his trajectory.

[mnhockeyfan03]

1 hour ago, Mateo3xm said:

4.5 mil is insulting for a player that good that works that hard. He’s absolutely worth 6 on a bridge deal. Rossi plays a lot harder position than Boldy. Guarin is being his usual asshole self and trying to lowball him knowing he could turn out to be an extremely good player in 2-3 years if he continues on his trajectory.

Sorry Rossi is no where near the player Boldy is.  He will get moved and Guerin gave him a fair offer.  He is not what we need.  He cannot drive a line. 

[1Brotherbill]

18 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I hope, in the end means not this year. Rossi is not a $7m player and he has a lot more work to do than Boldy did to become a $7m player. It all stems to another huge offseason for him. Everything plays off of if he can get stronger and come in around 195. For the detractors of this strategy, 195 is a target number that is pretty much arbitrary, but would be "heavy" for his height. And, he needs to be heavy for his height. With that, I could see a little extra edge work to make him a bit shiftier. 

New financials in the NHL mean that players who once made 5 million are now going to be making 7 million.  That is just how it is going to be.  As soon as Guerin realizes that he will sign Rossi.  Until then he will play the game and look for the best deal that is available which is more than likely not going to come.  If Brock Nelson gets 7.5 million on a cash strapped Colorado team that means Centers are at a high premium.

[1Brotherbill]

20 hours ago, MacGyver said:

This might be true if you are a team other than the Minnesota Wild who desperately need true centers. A 5X5 offer from Billy is a ok if we can get you on the cheap we will keep you around and let you play fourth line minutes kind of an offer. Offer him 6X1 or 2 on a prove it bridge deal and see what the response is. If he turns that down it's clearly a broken relationship. If he takes it and proves it and still wants out as a UFA like Fiala did we get to watch Billy fume again. Win win!  I think Rossi wants out from under this team at this point. I expect this fiasco to be over in two weeks or so with Rossi being gone for a underwhelming return. The return isn't there because Billy showed his cards to the league as not being interested in Rossi. 

Rossi wants or at least wanted to be here. This alone makes him a unicorn for the Wild. 

The thing is even if the relationship is fractured he probably still wants to play hockey and he has to play with the Wild.  Sure, he can sit out but the Wild still retain his rights.  If the Wild can't trade him or he gets a RFA offer he has to play for the Wild. 

[Sam]

6 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

New financials in the NHL mean that players who once made 5 million are now going to be making 7 million.  That is just how it is going to be.  As soon as Guerin realizes that he will sign Rossi.  Until then he will play the game and look for the best deal that is available which is more than likely not going to come.  If Brock Nelson gets 7.5 million on a cash strapped Colorado team that means Centers are at a high premium.

Right on…. brother.

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, Mateo3xm said:

4.5 mil is insulting for a player that good that works that hard. He’s absolutely worth 6 on a bridge deal. Rossi plays a lot harder position than Boldy. Guarin is being his usual asshole self and trying to lowball him knowing he could turn out to be an extremely good player in 2-3 years if he continues on his trajectory.

Insulting or not, this is the way the CBA is designed. Rossi could always ask for arbitration if he doesn't like it. No, wait, he can't yet. Rossi could ask for an offersheet and come back with a $6m deal with term. Matched. Rossi could go play in Europe. Rights are retained here. 

The bottom line is this, Rossi has little leverage to do anything but accept the next year on the Wild's terms. He can bet on himself, sign a 1 year deal and head to arbitration next season, or maybe then he'll have enough on tape to trade for a really good asset. He just doesn't have many choices.

There's a far cry from deserving and getting. And that's the way the system works. 

[mnfaninnc]

6 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

New financials in the NHL mean that players who once made 5 million are now going to be making 7 million.  That is just how it is going to be.  As soon as Guerin realizes that he will sign Rossi.

Maybe this happens in '26, but at this time, Guerin does not need to meet that demand. And, if Rossi doesn't get stronger and really dive in this offseason, he may not get that next go around either. There is risk either way of kicking the can down the road another year. But, Guerin shouldn't be shelling out 7 x $7m at this time. 

[0 Stanley Cups]

Comparing Rossi to Boldy isn't accurate, if Boldy needed a new contract this offseason he wouldn't be signing $7Mx7, it would be higher today than it was two years ago, more like $8-8.5 like Faber's.  Ek wouldn't be signing an $5.25Mx8 either, he be in the $8-9 range, too bad for BG he doesn't WANT to realize the market has changed.

BG lowballed Rossi at $5x5, $6M probably would've gotten it done, Rossi bet on himself and played solid while the Wild were decimated with injuries and now it should've been $6-7M, but the bridge is burnt thanks to his 4th line demotion in the playoffs, getting passed over by Freddie G?, and now Brock Nelson is gone.  BG had no problem giving our 5'9" captain $7.6Mx7.  Looking forward to seeing what BG's plan B is this offseason.

[Mateo3xm]

On 6/5/2025 at 11:52 PM, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Sorry Rossi is no where near the player Boldy is.  He will get moved and Guerin gave him a fair offer.  He is not what we need.  He cannot drive a line. 

For some reason you don’t get the concept that he’s a second year player. Most second year players have issues scoring more than 40pts. Most second year players aren’t driving their own line. He’s vastly exceeded expectations and should continue to get better. He hasn’t even reached his prime yet.

[Mateo3xm]

On 6/5/2025 at 10:46 AM, Pewterschmidt said:

$3.5 AAV.  About $2M too much, except for 6 playoff games when he’s relevant and earns $2.5M

This guy’s got jokes ⬆️ haha

[Citizen Strife]

Do you risk a team with low offense as it is going into next year down another player that has offensive instincts?  Quibble about Fiala and how the BS came down, but the offense has suffered since he left.

Guerin once said that if he got rid of Foligno, he'd just have to draft or trade for someone to replace him.

I view this similar to those.  Whether Guerin truly believes Yurov is a plug and play replacement for Rossi or not (probably not), you can have both and sort it out once you know what Yurov brings.

Top 6 players aren't plug and play.  If they were, Mojo would have 80 pts like Fiala did.  The team should be trying to bolster a woeful offense by ditching 20-30 points players or let them age out: addition by subtraction.  Fearing Rossi tapped out at 60 still means a 60-point player...sure as shit could use those going forward.

Edited June 8 by Citizen Strife

[NoJoSux]

On 6/5/2025 at 11:19 AM, Will D. Ness said:

Lundell is the benchmark.  One could argue that Lundell has more value at this point.

I don't think 7x7 for Rossi is market value but we will find out soon enough.

Just think all of this probably could have been avoided with a 6x5 deal, but Rossi's agent wanted to play hardball without the leverage to do so.  

This all could have been avoided if Brackett and Guerin had just drafted Lundell. 

 

On 6/5/2025 at 9:30 AM, Pewterschmidt said:

Wild faithful: we have to come to grips with the reality that the Wild org. Is a second tier destination in the league

Like P-Prognosticator said, MN is seen as a second-tier destination for whatever reasons, but one has to be the comedy of errors and ongoing dysfunction. Playoff loser reputation and fans/organization valuing NoJos, Merrills, and Rossis like they're Dubnyks, Fialas, and Suters. 

It is funny to look back and see Granlund, Nino, or Kulikov all playing well in the playoffs like they did here. MN is still right were they were in 2016, 2020, and now 2025. Players can read and notice things too. There's probably three teams just in the Central players would rather go play. 

[1Brotherbill]

On 6/6/2025 at 10:21 AM, mnfaninnc said:

Maybe this happens in '26, but at this time, Guerin does not need to meet that demand. And, if Rossi doesn't get stronger and really dive in this offseason, he may not get that next go around either. There is risk either way of kicking the can down the road another year. But, Guerin shouldn't be shelling out 7 x $7m at this time. 

I'm all for using Rossi to get what you can get.  What that is we don't know it might just be that he signs a contract with the Wild.  

But honestly what do you want from this kid?  He spent the entire off season last year in Minnesota.  Didn't play for his national team, which needs him, to stay in Minnesota.  Worked with conditioning coaches, strength coaches and everything just to get better.  Yet the common theme is he needs to get stronger and work harder.  Show me another player on the roster who works harder?  Everyone else is going into dangerous areas on the planet with the hopes that they can get back by training camp.  Yet Marco is in St. Paul working to be better.  

7 for 7 is what it is going to be.  If Boldy takes it a bad maybe a rework of his contract can be done. 

[mnfaninnc]

12 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

Yet the common theme is he needs to get stronger and work harder.  Show me another player on the roster who works harder?  Everyone else is going into dangerous areas on the planet with the hopes that they can get back by training camp.  Yet Marco is in St. Paul working to be better.  

7 for 7 is what it is going to be.  If Boldy takes it a bad maybe a rework of his contract can be done.

I don't think work harder is what people are saying, at least I'm not saying it. Work focused maybe, but I think we can all conclude the kid is a hard worker. Strength, not conditioning is what I've focused on. Better in the dot, stronger edges and the explosive acceleration and shiftiness he lost the 2nd half of the season needs to be there. 

The way he played he looked closer, to me, to be 185, but he just needs more strength mass. For comparison, it took Ek 2 offseasons to completely come in as a beast. To me, Rossi didn't look much stronger in the first half of the season, he looked like he got to play with more skilled players. I also don't mind a resigning of him, but he's out of his mind thinking that he's at a level where Boldy signed his 7 x $7m contract. 

[mnfaninnc]

On 6/8/2025 at 8:40 AM, Citizen Strife said:

Fearing Rossi tapped out at 60 still means a 60-point player...sure as shit could use those going forward.

I think Rossi is skilled enough to be a ppg player. But is he strong enough to help us in the playoffs? Much of that depends on his wings. 

But, I do not see Rossi as the problem here. I see Zuccarello as the problem. You can have a couple of undersized players, but not a lot of them. Zuccarello is undersized, and Freddy is too. But Rossi should be the one to keep unless you can parlay him into something better that the team needs.