Article: Can Marco Rossi Build On His Playoff Performance?

[Mateo3xm]

5 hours ago, Dean said:

The wild shouldn’t have devalued Rossi and traded him.  He is to small!! Ek , Rossi and Hartman can’t go up against Florida . It would be an ass kicking . Florida is the standard of where we need to get to an another undersized weak player isn’t going to do it . The wild told the nhl they think he’s too weak and small for playoffs and the rest of nhl took notice. No one wants a weak undersized 2c . Hence no offer sheets or trade. Yet the fans of a team that can’t win shit want an undersized 2c because they know what it takes to win nothing . 
   Honestly when are people Going to start looking at this team as to what  can it do in playoffs versus reg season stats. You have to beat other teams to win the cup. Little kids holding daddy’s hockey stick doesn’t win cups. This team is so undersized and weak it’s never going anywhere except for fist round exits after it barely squeaks into playoffs.  Oh but future is bright because some jack ass made a list. Someone should do a story on how those stupid lists actually translate to winning cups. They f ing don’t. They give hope to the hopeless fools that believe them 

You really don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.

[Mateo3xm]

9 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

This data syncs better with my Rossi speed eye test.  Not a sloth, but not a burner either.  He may be quick, but not fast

You sure you’re using your good eye?

[mnfaninnc]

I'm with Pewter and notice the same thing, Rossi is not that fast. He can, however, be very quick. If he had elite edges and could be shiftier, I think that would make him look faster. If he had that ability to turn a defender the wrong way for half a step, he'd be real dangerous. So far, that is not in his arsenal. 

The question of this article is, however, can Rossi build upon his playoffs? I say who cares. I want him to build upon his 1st 3/4 of the season last year when he was on pace for the mid 70s in points. 

I also believe he was more injured than he let trainers know and gutted out the rest of the season and should get credit for that. I think his demotion was getting him bigger wingers through that series and hoping that his knee would finally heal. Anyone watching this team regularly could tell he wasn't the same player as before that block. But, his scoring slump started prior to the injury. 

I would not, if I were the GM, pay him more than $5m next season. On a 1 year deal, I'd go $3.5m, on a 2 year deal, I'd go $9m ($3.5m/5.5m). If he can come into camp heavier, stronger and show me elite edges and more compete, I would reward him when I could with a larger contract. But, he has a few things I need to see before he gets it, and those are all requirements, not doing some of the things I ask for. 

While I would trade Rossi for something I liked better, say, McTavish, or say Canada really pissed off Tkachuk and he wanted out, but I'd be very selective in who I traded him for. To date, this is how Guerin has treated the situation also. Rossi's agent is outside the ballpark on this one and time is on Guerin's side. I believe it's the agent here that is the roadblock, and maybe that's just his job.

To clean up a couple of statements, I believe only ELCs and 35+ players can get performance bonuses per the CBA. I don't think Rossi is eligible for any trade protection until he reaches UFA status. So, if I'm reading it right, if we signed him for 7 years, only the last 3 could have trade protection on them. Rossi may not want to take a lower deal and then get traded off. Really, he doesn't have much of a choice in the matter. Some have suggested he play in the Swiss league, that would be career suicide and for a player of his stature, his career will be in the K. He's nowhere near Nylander class in talent. 

I will ask this question, though: Why is it imperative for the team to sign him now? What is the rush? He really doesn't need to be signed until training camp is about to start. The 2 sides aren't talking, big deal. Has Guerin taken his 5 x $5m offer off the table? I certainly haven't heard that. Perhaps Guerin just left it on the table with a call me when you're ready to sign this. I still think 2 x $4.5m is where we end up.

[DennisIN]

Rossi Interview (German)

Really interesting interview with Rossi published yesterday. 

I must say it does sound rather complicated. His answer to the question on whether he wants to return to St. Paul sounds more like he wants to be gone.

Feels undervalued but is also willing to sign short term, but not for a bargain.

Is frustrated with how his situation was handled, finding out about his demotion on the line chart without prior communication, not good people leadership if you ask me.

Worked on strength, speed and face-offs, weighs 196 lbs now. Does not feel like height is the problem especially with his strength development. His goals came from short distance, so he feels able to use his strength in front of the net.

Had an honest conversation with management after the season, sounds like it got heated (my interpretation).

 

[Will D. Ness]

2 hours ago, DennisIN said:

Worked on strength, speed and face-offs, weighs 196 lbs now. Does not feel like height is the problem especially with his strength development. His goals came from short distance, so he feels able to use his strength in front of the net.

He seems to be this off-season training beast in the mold of Arnold.  I love this about Rossi.

It's too bad his agent is a tool.  Rossi probably would have gotten paid a fair market contract last season and all of this "undervalued" nonsense wouldn't have been a distraction or a possible cause for Rossi to lose motivation in the playoffs.

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

On 8/3/2025 at 7:18 PM, mnfaninnc said:

Rossi's agent is outside the ballpark

Rossi's agent is asking maybe a touch outside the going rate for a 2nd line center. We have comparable contracts from this season and he should be around 6.5-7 for a long term and 5.5 for a short term. Those are going rates and evolving hockey, Jfresh and every other model i can find all agree. 

3 hours ago, Will D. Ness said:

It's too bad his agent is a tool

This is equally on Guerin too. They both need to have some room to compromise and it sounds like neither have even suggested it. 

Rossi's interview in German really showed a lack of communication from the staff, nothing said before the game about the demotion and no reason given after. We've heard this before with T-bot vs Fleury in the playoffs. Same GM, different coach and same culture. If you are going to demote a guy who starting on the first line all season, and is one the reasons you made it to playoffs being second in scoring on the team, maybe you sit him down or at least have a conversation. 

It is stuff like this that sours a players relationship with our team. Not a good look for our FO or coach.  

[MrCheatachu]

7 hours ago, DennisIN said:

Rossi Interview (German)

Really interesting interview with Rossi published yesterday. 

I must say it does sound rather complicated. His answer to the question on whether he wants to return to St. Paul sounds more like he wants to be gone.

Feels undervalued but is also willing to sign short term, but not for a bargain.

Is frustrated with how his situation was handled, finding out about his demotion on the line chart without prior communication, not good people leadership if you ask me.

Worked on strength, speed and face-offs, weighs 196 lbs now. Does not feel like height is the problem especially with his strength development. His goals came from short distance, so he feels able to use his strength in front of the net.

Had an honest conversation with management after the season, sounds like it got heated (my interpretation).

 

Thanks for linking that article, I used google translate to read it, and I know (especially german) sometimes the context/words get lost a bit.  I did find a couple interesting notes:

Quote

Rossi: Bruises, contusions, or cracked ribs—you always have something. I still try to play every game. Unless it's really impossible, then you're not stupid and play anyway. Luckily, I haven't had a situation where I actually had to sit out a game.

I missed when Rossi had a cracked rib last season?  That might be a 'lost in translation' moment, but that would be definitely news to me if he managed to play all 82 with a cracked rib somewhere in there.

Quote

LAOLA1: When was it originally planned for you to travel back to Minnesota?

Rossi: Actually, I was planning to fly over at the end of August. But of course, I won't go over until I know when I'm signing. I'll probably fly in early to mid-September.

...interesting tidbit there.  He missed his sisters wedding to train over here, and now he's sticking in Austria until he's got a piece of paper to sign.

[DennisIN]

49 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

I missed when Rossi had a cracked rib last season?  That might be a 'lost in translation' moment, but that would be definitely news to me if he managed to play all 82 with a cracked rib somewhere in there.

I am from Germany and can read between the lines a little bit.

He is a bit vague about that. Only saying that there is always something, for example bruises, broken ribs and stuff like that ...

Did not say that he actually had a broken rib. Maybe he was referring to team mates as well. I think if he had a broken rib he would actually say it in a more certain way.

[Willy the poor boy]

2 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

Thanks for linking that article, I used google translate to read it, and I know (especially german) sometimes the context/words get lost a bit.  I did find a couple interesting notes:

I missed when Rossi had a cracked rib last season?  That might be a 'lost in translation' moment, but that would be definitely news to me if he managed to play all 82 with a cracked rib somewhere in there.

...interesting tidbit there.  He missed his sisters wedding to train over here, and now he's sticking in Austria until he's got a piece of paper to sign.

If you're playing with a broken rib, you certainly don't want that getting out. I don't believe we knew Faber was playing with a broken rib until after the season .