Article: The Wild and Hockey World Are Overthinking It With Marco Rossi

[Will D. Ness]

Just now, OldDutchChip said:

instead of 5, you offer $6m. 

That's it.

This makes too much sense.

[OldDutchChip]

Just now, Will D. Ness said:

This makes too much sense.

don't tell the angry mob....

[Burnt Toast]

20 hours ago, fikifuka said:

I'm sure he'll get at least 6,5/ 3 years or 7/longterm next week

Agree on these numbers. The Rossi “drama” is starting to feel more like a made for tv miniseries. Even with hard headed negotiations going on, unless a player goes completely team friendly (JT in Toronto) teams and agents get funneled towards middle ground $. 

[ArizonaWildFan]

Question: Which pair would you have the most trust and confidence to run an NHL franchise?

[Burnt Toast]

57 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

you offer $6m

I think he’s getting $6.5 minimum. I’m hoping for a three year deal. Let’s see if Rossi can build on what he’s accomplished. He could be packaged and moved for a true 1C in a couple of years. The cupboards are really bare this offseason. On a positive note I’m pretty sure KK is extending in MN. Remember last year it wasn’t looking as certain. 

[OldDutchChip]

22 minutes ago, Burnt Toast said:

I think he’s getting $6.5 minimum. I’m hoping for a three year deal. Let’s see if Rossi can build on what he’s accomplished. He could be packaged and moved for a true 1C in a couple of years. The cupboards are really bare this offseason. On a positive note I’m pretty sure KK is extending in MN. Remember last year it wasn’t looking as certain. 

Very true. Unless a deal opens up - you keep.

Agree on Kap - in his interview (w Rus newspaper) he kinda confirmed so too. 

🤞🏻

[fikifuka]

2 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

Agree on these numbers. The Rossi “drama” is starting to feel more like a made for tv miniseries. Even with hard headed negotiations going on, unless a player goes completely team friendly (JT in Toronto) teams and agents get funneled towards middle ground $. 

With most valuable FA centers gone/already signed, Rossi transforms to a blue chip on the market the closer July 1 appears. Will get more and more expensive for MIN to match the offer sheet, I guess.

[Burnt Toast]

58 minutes ago, fikifuka said:

offer sheet,

Gets a lot of air play but in reality pretty rare. Like a dozen total since the NHL has added the salary cap. Last year was a grudge playing out between folks in management and friends who they thought got done wrong by Edmonton. Maybe it’s just me, and I’m no expert, but I think people in media just repeat what other people are saying. 

[FredJohnson]

22 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

you realize that Freddy actually played PK? if you just look at minutes 5 v 5 - it was very evenly distributed among bottom 6 players. 

I wonder why…

[PNW Wild]

On 6/27/2025 at 1:15 PM, OldDutchChip said:

this was not just a center for a center. you specified Rossi as untouchable in that trade (elite? no Rossi is not that) to bring a difference maker in, thinking Rossi was going to be that soon. He is not. 

Ek + Rossi + Pick for Eichel would have been enough. You then have Boldy Kap and Eichel to build off.

The point was to be careful at saying that your thoughts are the only right ones. You were wrong about Rossi before. Eichel is a monster of a player, whereas Rossi is still wearing diapers on the ice. 

Not trading Rossi for Eichel was not the right move. But, hindsight is always 20/20. But that doesn't mean that there shouldn't be caution trading Rossi. I am no professional scout, but his point totals, size and draft profile are not far from Brayden Point. He could easily develop into someone like that, especially if he can elevate his skating.

One thing that I haven't heard discussed, is whether part of the issue at hand is simply that Vegas was a bad matchup for Rossi. Unless you are Edmonton trying to get past Florida, I am not sure trading a player away because he struggles against 1/32 teams is prudent. 

And he did struggle at the end of the season, but seemed to be beat up. We know he took a puck to the knee against Seattle and wasn't playing 100% the next game or so.  He is one of the few players that made it 82 games, and the Wild don't make the playoffs without him. I am fine trading Rossi if the return is right, but I don't know how you trade Rossi and get a better center back in this market. 

[fikifuka]

36 minutes ago, Burnt Toast said:

Gets a lot of air play but in reality pretty rare. Like a dozen total since the NHL has added the salary cap. Last year was a grudge playing out between folks in management and friends who they thought got done wrong by Edmonton. Maybe it’s just me, and I’m no expert, but I think people in media just repeat what other people are saying. 

My assumption that offer-sheeting becomes a more attractive option is based on the fact that there is a lot more cap space in the market for years to come. If you don't care too much about picks + want add depth to your roster + have enough cap space it is a good strategy. And even more when you know that the other GM (BG) wants to get rid of the player. 

[FredJohnson]

20 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

means a lot coming from you

go take a nap and relax

Wake up before you post.

[OldDutchChip]

2 hours ago, FredJohnson said:

I wonder why…

why freddy played PK? because he was better at it than Rossi

why minutes were evenly distributed? because that's smart to do

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, PNW Wild said:

Not trading Rossi for Eichel was not the right move. But, hindsight is always 20/20. But that doesn't mean that there shouldn't be caution trading Rossi. I am no professional scout, but his point totals, size and draft profile are not far from Brayden Point. He could easily develop into someone like that, especially if he can elevate his skating.

One thing that I haven't heard discussed, is whether part of the issue at hand is simply that Vegas was a bad matchup for Rossi. Unless you are Edmonton trying to get past Florida, I am not sure trading a player away because he struggles against 1/32 teams is prudent. 

And he did struggle at the end of the season, but seemed to be beat up. We know he took a puck to the knee against Seattle and wasn't playing 100% the next game or so.  He is one of the few players that made it 82 games, and the Wild don't make the playoffs without him. I am fine trading Rossi if the return is right, but I don't know how you trade Rossi and get a better center back in this market. 

thanks for a thoughtful response! well stated sir! 🍻

the part about bad matchup could be true, but given the make up of central teams and overall increase in intensity in the Playoffs - this is likely a norm. he may develop muscle and strength in the future to be ready for that. he wasn't ready this year. 

which is the core issue. do we prioritize his development (roll the dice to see if he becomes the second coming of marchand and point) or act to try to get the piece that we need. i think i'd pick the more aggressive approach that would include trading off the future for the now (assuming Kap stays). i could be wrong and wild could never win - but a fate that of Edmonton is not a bad fate at all. 

[NoJoSux]

Overthinking it to death. 

What a frickin gong-show. Guerin has telegraphed the truth and is trying to play off an admission they took Rossi when they needed/wanted Lundell. 

Personally, I believe teams can see that plain as day and look back to Rossi dropping to 9th in the first place. It confirms to them that they don't wanna pay a high price so Guerin is stuck with the player that he's now insulted and offended while showing the league they're frick'n idiots cause they picked him despite him being the opposite of what they want which is an Ek/Koivu 2.0. 

Fools. They created the drama. Now they're gonna have to live with the consequences. MN is dangerously close to a Vancouver/NTR type meltdown like we just witnessed.  

[PNW Wild]

6 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

which is the core issue. do we prioritize his development (roll the dice to see if he becomes the second coming of marchand and point) or act to try to get the piece that we need. i think i'd pick the more aggressive approach that would include trading off the future for the now

I don't' necessarily disagree, but I doubt there is any team willing to trade a center as good or better than Rossi out there. Jack Eichel trades are pretty rare. I would be intrigued by Tomas Hertl, but he has virtually a no-trade and Vegas isn't taking Rossi for him. They would want to shed $ for a Marner deal.

[fikifuka]

If I would be R or his agent I would wait and see, stay cool, even till late August if necessary, and rely or bet on an offer 7+ M AAV/5 years min, because this is what the market is trending: increasing cap space, win now-mode for more organization than ever, not so much good, valuable, young Centers with upgrade available. R is in a good bargaining position and BG isn't any more.

[fikifuka]

And to whats about to learn from SC winners and how to build a winning roster, I tell you all minnesotians from watching the NHL since many years from Austria(!): You need a skilled, gritty roster with at least 3(!) scoring lines plus a world-class goaly and a solid back-up goaly, just for sure. Otherwise forget it. There is no Plan B. 

[Pewterschmidt]

23 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Then circle back to Rossi, if he is not dealt or found a deal - you maybe meet him half way just like with Kap! instead of 5, you offer $6m. 

My fear is that hard headed thin skin bill will stick to his guns and trade Rossi for a 3rd & 4th next year + a 25 yr old defenseman project, just so that he can show us all he’s right.   How many more years of this people?

[Pewterschmidt]

23 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Then circle back to Rossi, if he is not dealt or found a deal - you maybe meet him half way just like with Kap! instead of 5, you offer $6m. 

My fear is that hard headed thin skin bill will stick to his guns and trade Rossi for a 3rd & 4th next year + a 25 yr old defenseman project, just so that he can show us all he’s right.   How many more years of this people?

[Pewterschmidt]

23 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Then circle back to Rossi, if he is not dealt or found a deal - you maybe meet him half way just like with Kap! instead of 5, you offer $6m. 

My fear is that hard headed thin skin bill will stick to his guns and trade Rossi for a 3rd & 4th next year + a 25 yr old defenseman project, just so that he can show us all he’s right.   How many more years of this people?

[ArizonaWildFan]

The Wild still have a center depth issue for the upcoming season as it sits on the 29th of June. Spit balling here, but two UFA names are intriguing to me: Claude Giroux and Jack McBain.

Giroux had his career best FO% at over 60% with Ottawa last season and is probably looking for a one year deal at $4M. Think of him as this season's Fleury and the impact he could have on the team and younger players.

McBain spurned the Wild after four years of college and landed in Arizona. Not sure of the exact reason, but it was rumored that he didn't think he would crack the roster and didn't want to linger in Des Moines.

He's 6'4", 210-ish and certainly plays with grit. He also had a career best 50% FO win season last year. He's coming off a $1.6M AAV contract and Utah may not give him the bump he's looking for. Not great career stats, but his entire career has been in AZ/UT, not a great place to build stats.

Ek, Rossi, Giroux, McBain and a developing Yurov doesn't sound terrible up the middle. And it certainly sounds better than what we have on June 29th.

[Up North Guy]

18 minutes ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

The Wild still have a center depth issue for the upcoming season as it sits on the 29th of June. Spit balling here, but two UFA names are intriguing to me: Claude Giroux and Jack McBain.

Giroux had his career best FO% at over 60% with Ottawa last season and is probably looking for a one year deal at $4M. Think of him as this season's Fleury and the impact he could have on the team and younger players.

McBain spurned the Wild after four years of college and landed in Arizona. Not sure of the exact reason, but it was rumored that he didn't think he would crack the roster and didn't want to linger in Des Moines.

He's 6'4", 210-ish and certainly plays with grit. He also had a career best 50% FO win season last year. He's coming off a $1.6M AAV contract and Utah may not give him the bump he's looking for. Not great career stats, but his entire career has been in AZ/UT, not a great place to build stats.

Ek, Rossi, Giroux, McBain and a developing Yurov doesn't sound terrible up the middle. And it certainly sounds better than what we have on June 29th.

Unless Billy and/or McBain are butt hurt he could be just th type of player the Wild could use. I think he has more upside than Sturm but would probably cost  more.

[Pewterschmidt]

16 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Unless Billy and/or McBain are butt hurt he could be just th type of player the Wild could use. I think he has more upside than Sturm but would probably cost  more.

I predict Sturm-drain will be back for a 2nd tour. We’ll find out if he’s Fred light or Fred heavy. 

[OldDutchChip]

11 hours ago, PNW Wild said:

I don't' necessarily disagree, but I doubt there is any team willing to trade a center as good or better than Rossi out there. Jack Eichel trades are pretty rare. I would be intrigued by Tomas Hertl, but he has virtually a no-trade and Vegas isn't taking Rossi for him. They would want to shed $ for a Marner deal.

understood and agree. but you have to (a) be patient and (b) have an offer that is enticing to another team. I also like Hertl. he was visible out there for vegas (much more than in SJ)