Article: How Does Rossi's Contract Fit Into the Wild's Five-Year Plan?

[Tony Abbott]

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[mnfaninnc]

1st, condolences to the victims of the past couple of days in Minneapolis. The news today weighed heavily on my heart.

 

Another nice thing about Rossi's new deal is that instead of waiting completely to the deadline, we can maybe start our shopping in January. That gives us, essentially, 3 months to figure out this team. I imagine that we will also need to give up some salary, but, it puts us in fine shape moving forward. 

Who knows? Maybe all 5 or 6 rookies hit and we don't need to add anywhere? Maybe our adds come from the college ranks after the NCAA tourney? Maybe we finally have positive injury luck? A younger roster typically has a tendency to have better injury luck. 

So, what if we were buyers through selling? Some of our vets would make nice pieces to playoff bound or playoff wannabe teams. Maybe instead of that "big" piece, we get more of an unproven piece somewhere within the '20-23 draft window? A guy on the upswing who hasn't quite had that breakthrough yet. 

It seems to me that Judd probably has a list of guys who either were taken before his chance or that he liked and missed on. Maybe he gets a 2nd swing on one of those guys? 

[1Brotherbill]

The best part of the Rossi contract is he still will have one year of RFA after the deal.  So, a qualifying offer will be in the 6 million range and anyone who wants him will have to pay more than that and give compensation to the Wild if they take him.  Or if Rossi falls of the edge of the table and is a terrible player they Wild can just walk away.  

It is doubtful that Zucarello will come back he already has said that he doesn't want to be a third line or fourth line guy he doesn't think that is his game.  Taresenko will be interesting, if he plays well the FA offers will come from everywhere, if he plays bad he can go away.  Johansson if he comes back will only make less than what he makes now.  Bogo has to go and probably will being that the Defensive rotation for the Wild is going to be the strongest part of the team for a few years.  I'm not talking only about Buium and Jiricek, Iowa has Peart, Spacek, and Lambos.  The Wild also have two or three prospects in the system that could easily fill a Bogo slot.  

Haight, Bankier, Stramel, Random Finn or Sweed and Hiedt are all able to fill spots. The Wild will have a lot of money next season if they play the kids more. 

I also think that spending 7 million plus on Gus would be a mistake.  Love the guy and he is a really good goalie.  However, in a league where good goalies are everywhere why spend top dollar on a position that can be filled by two people in your system or a free agent that is looking for a team.