Rossi tests positive for COVID-19, feeling better

The National League, Switzerland’s top domestic division, is currently in the middle of a massive outbreak. Some teams have not played since last month, with multiple staff members and players testing positive. One of those teams is the ZSC Lions, and one of those players is Minnesota Wild top prospect Marco Rossi.

Both the Lions and Rossi have not played a league game since the matchup against HC Davos on Oct. 30 — but Zurich is returning to action on Friday against Genève-Servette HC, without the 19-year-old.

Rossi will make his way back to on-ice play, with negative tests and rehabbing from some reported back soreness due to the diagnosis. If everything goes smoothly and he is able to return back to full health and recover, then he could make his way back to play in the Nov. 27 match against SC Bern or the Swiss Cup (their domestic tournament) quarter-finals against Langenthal.

Although he might only be there for a couple weeks after his recovery, since NHL teams will be starting their training camp soon and some European players — like Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mikko Lehtonen — have already terminated their contracts overseas and is heading to North America, prior to training camp.

It all depends when Rossi is able to return, but he could only be in Switzerland for a little longer, as the Wild are set to start camp in a month or so (if the NHL keeps their Jan. 1 season start) and Team Austria will be getting going soon in preparation for the 2021 World Juniors.

But in times like these, all we need to focus on are the small steps towards getting back to normal. No need to anticipate his return, just hope for his recovery.