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  • The Marco Rossi Madness Has To End


    Image courtesy of Bruce Fedyck - Imagn Images
    Tony Abbott

    One goal short.

    That's all the Minnesota Wild needed to get this series on lockdown. Finding one more goal -- anywhere -- was the difference between going back to Vegas with the Golden Knights demoralized or with home ice advantage in a de facto best-of-three.

    You can't get picky about where the goals come from in the playoffs. Or at least, that's got to be the lesson John Hynes learned in Game 4. Because when his team needed a goal the most, he spent all but 7 minutes and 17 seconds with 24 goals sitting on the bench.

    It's no secret that the Wild have long doubted Marco Rossi's ability to contribute to a playoff effort. At the end of the 2022-23 season, Minnesota refused to play their top center prospect, who had a strong season in the AHL, in a series against the Dallas Stars. This despite losing Joel Eriksson Ek to a broken leg. Those reservations have persisted into this year.

    Hynes has shown no faith in his 60-point center's season carrying over to the first round. After an admittedly poor showing on the third line during his 12-minute playoff debut, Hynes dropped Rossi to the fourth line and has given him strictly fourth-line minutes. Unlike Ryan Hartman, who was able to play his way off the fourth line in Game 1, that path doesn't seem available to Rossi.

    He scored on his third shift in Game 3, and Rossi finished with 10:52 of time on ice. Game 4 was even worse. Once again, he scored on his third shift of the game, and his line with Yakov Trenin and Justin Brazeau was easily Minnesota's best forward group. Still, Rossi had 7:17 through regulation, including 1:19 in the second period and 2:37 in the third.

    How many guys score a goal in back-to-back games while remaining effectively benched? 

    We know how many other 60-point forwards are getting used as little as Rossi is this postseason: zero. Among the other 42 forwards who scored 60 points this season, only 39-year-old Alex Ovechkin (15:28 per night) is averaging under 16 minutes. Lower the bar to 50-point forwards, and no one comes close to Rossi's microscopic ice time.

    It's clear that Game 1 fed into Hynes' doubts that Rossi could provide an impact in the series, one where the 5-foot-9 center was going against the fifth-heaviest team in the NHL. But now? He's proven that he can hang, and he doesn't even need top-tier linemates or a lot of minutes to do it.

    His first goal came with bruising, 6-foot-4 Brayden McNabb on the ice, with 6-foot-2, 216-pound Keegan Kolesar closing in on him. In Game 4, 6-foot-6 Nicolas Hague, 6-foot-2 Zach Whitecloud, 6-foot-4 Nicolas Roy, 6-foot-1 Tanner Pearson, and Kolesar couldn't stop Rossi from parking 14 feet from the net, untouched.

    Not only is Rossi finding space against a much bigger team (only Joel Eriksson Ek has more shots on goal per hour this series), but he's doing something no other Wild draftee has done since Marian Gaborik

    Produce in his first playoff series. 

    Rossi has two goals and an assist through his first four career postseason games. No other Wild-drafted player has scored three points in their first four playoff games in Minnesota. He's already matched what Kirill Kaprizov did in his first playoff series against the Golden Knights. Rossi surpassed Boldy's output in his first series by Game 3. Even Gaborik, who ended his first series with four goals and six points, didn't take off until Game 6.

    Here's where Rossi ranked coming into Sunday's action among 176 forwards with 30-plus all-situations playoff minutes. And remember, this is all with a fourth-line assignment and while being relegated to the second power play:

    7th in Goals Per Hour (2.76)
    20th in Points Per Hour (4.14)
    16th in Shots Per Hour (11.3)

    Of course, we're talking about a small sample size, but still... there's so much more to indicate that Rossi's a player who can step up in the playoffs, rather than shrink from the moment. But as the Wild grew desperate for an insurance goal, then later a go-ahead goal, Hynes made little effort to find ways to get his second-leading goal-scorer on the ice.

    Hynes made no commitment after Game 4 to increase Rossi's role, either. "We'll take it game by game," he said when pressed about Rossi's ice time. 

    It's one thing (but still ill-advised, arguably) to be unwilling to commit to Rossi long-term. The Athletic's Michael Russo has reported that the team has only offered Rossi five years and $25 million -- a below-market deal, even when we don't account for the salary cap's pending exponential rise. Oddly, Minnesota is seemingly preparing to move on from a center with a 60-point season before hitting his 24th birthday, but hey, maybe the Wild have a vision for the future.

    It's much more bizarre to be unwilling to commit to Rossi now. This is the playoffs, and the Wild aren't going to trade for the center of their dreams before their playoff run ends. They don't have top center prospect Danila Yurov ready to step in for Rossi until next year. Minnesota's not nearly so deep that they can afford to play their 24-goal center for just seven minutes in regulation in a must-win game.

    Hynes has two options: He can maximize the playing time of his best players or continue to let perfection be the enemy of good with one of his two best centers. The coach chose the latter, which may have already bitten him, putting Minnesota's chances of winning their first playoff series in a decade in peril.

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    I think durability is the issue with Rossi.  He has only played 164 games in the last two years so it makes sense the Wild would be hesitant to invest in him long term!

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    1 minute ago, Patrick said:

    I think durability is the issue with Rossi.  He has only played 164 games in the last two years so it makes sense the Wild would be hesitant to invest in him long term!

    Forgot the sarcasm font😀

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    1 minute ago, OldDutchChip said:

    what other posters? freddy? oh him and i are buds!

    I understand why other posters just give up with you. thanks - who gave up? that chicken guy?

    Rossi has similar production to Fiala in his first two years compared to Fiala while also playing Center and being much better defensively.  there is a timeline here, we don't have a growth and development plan - we need to show results. it's not all about rossi, we have kaprizov to convince to sign - do we say "hey look Rossi is resigned and we gave him so much money that we cannot sign anyone else, hooray".......the same rossi who has given us 9 pts in 22 games to finish the season and has been trusted the L4 duties lately. reality - his play is inconsistent and not something that you look for when playoffs start. as for fiala - who cares? fiala is gone. i guess, ship out Rossi too?  

    The knock on Fiala was he was all offense and no defense.  i mean if you have Boldy and Fiala on a line - do you really expect to defend? 

    Haven’t you made the exact same argument about Brock Boser?  Again with the flip flopping.  what argument? i never wanted brock boeser. 

    I think Rossi will be traded, but I think it is a mistake.  I think 7-8M per year is fair considering his position and the cap increasing.  here is the issue - rossi occupies and will get paid to occupy top 6 spot. there is NO spot left for an undersized C/W in the top 6. so yes he will be gone and we should NOT pay anything above 7 for him. if he wants bridge deal - then offer 5 for 3 years. this will allow him to maximize earning in the future and allow us to trade him. win / win.  

    I have consistently said that I hope GMBG is doing the smart thing by waiting to sign Rossi until all needed dollars are used for Kaprizov.  To imply otherwise and reiterate your statements that only Kaprizov matters inaccurately cites me yet again.
     

    I said you have argued against Brock Boeser.  Again, you misrepresent me.

    You either don’t read or just flat out ignore other people’s actual posts when you reply.

    I read this site for years before actually ever posting and I think it is safe to say that most people who visit this site are familiar with ODC and his tactics.

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    10 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

    First off,   I doubt Carolina would trade him since he is signed for 4 more years and they are in contention every year.  Would have thought they would have included him in the Ranty trade if he was available.

    Second, is he that much of an upgrade over Rossi to include Ohgren too?  Yes he is big and has the potential to be an 80-90 point scorer.  But he is now 25 and in his 7th season and has yet to put up 70 points.  On top of that, this year he put up 48 points in 72 games with only 10 goals at even strength.  On top of that, he is hurt, a lot.  
     

    Seems a risky option.  

     

     

    i think mnfan already has it worked out, him being in NC? unless they play in the other carolina? ooh that's embarrassing .....i don't even know which carolina svech plays in.....

    Second, is he that much of an upgrade over Rossi to include Ohgren too? i'm hoping you are sitting down, cause this is going to be stat lovers dream! svechnikov has posted 7 points thus far in the PO and had 3 goals last game. that's triple the production of rossi! enough said. he also has a ruski GF, as does Kap. buddy - buddy and all are happy minnesotans for life! brilliant!

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    3 minutes ago, WildNotMild said:

    I have consistently said that I hope GMBG is doing the smart thing by waiting to sign Rossi until all needed dollars are used for Kaprizov.  To imply otherwise and reiterate your statements that only Kaprizov matters inaccurately cites me yet again.
     

    I said you have argued against Brock Boeser.  Again, you misrepresent me.

    You either don’t read or just flat out ignore other people’s actual posts when you reply.

    I read this site for years before actually ever posting and I think it is safe to say that most people who visit this site are familiar with ODC and his tactics.

    but Kaprizov does matter more than anyone on this team. he is the best player on our team and the world. kind of a big deal. 

    I said you have argued against Brock Boeser.  Again, you misrepresent me. yes i have argued against BB, but what am i misrepresenting for you?

    I read this site for years before actually ever posting and I think it is safe to say that most people who visit this site are familiar with ODC and his tactics. i don't think i've been here for years so it's likely the other ODC (who is not as cool as me)

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    2 minutes ago, WildNotMild said:

    All of the debating aside, I appreciate the fandom of everyone on this site including that of ODC.

    thanks buddy! sorry if i am a bit odd today. but my dog is teething and that's never fun!

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    1 minute ago, OldDutchChip said:

    i think mnfan already has it worked out, him being in NC? unless they play in the other carolina? ooh that's embarrassing .....i don't even know which carolina svech plays in.....

    Second, is he that much of an upgrade over Rossi to include Ohgren too? i'm hoping you are sitting down, cause this is going to be stat lovers dream! svechnikov has posted 7 points thus far in the PO and had 3 goals last game. that's triple the production of rossi! enough said. he also has a ruski GF, as does Kap. buddy - buddy and all are happy minnesotans for life! brilliant!

    He has produced this playoffs.   4 goals one assist.  Two years ago he put up 5 points in 14 games.  Rossi 3 points in 4 games and half the minutes. He is a player that should be producing more than he has and does have injury history.  If you are betting on him actually fulfilling his potential it is a good trade, again, if he would actually become available.  But injury history is a concern.  He missed 20 games or more the previous two seasons and ten this year. 

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    10 minutes ago, Patrick said:

    I think durability is the issue with Rossi.  He has only played 164 games in the last two years so it makes sense the Wild would be hesitant to invest in him long term!

    i see what you did there.....freddy G has played the entire season - so shall we gift him another 5 year contract? ah F that - lifetime!

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    Just now, SkolWild73 said:

    He has produced this playoffs.   4 goals one assist.  Two years ago he put up 5 points in 14 games.  Rossi 3 points in 4 games and half the minutes. He is a player that should be producing more than he has and does have injury history.  If you are betting on him actually fulfilling his potential it is a good trade, again, if he would actually become available.  But injury history is a concern.  He missed 20 games or more the previous two seasons and ten this year. 

    i thought he has 7 pts? no? 

    as for past - he probably has some post ovi fears he had to exterminate so that probably made him a bit unnerved..... but he is a changed man! and is scoring 3 G per game

    all jokes aside - i think svech is a great player but has been slowed by injury. i very much doubt that he is made available....

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    1 minute ago, OldDutchChip said:

    i thought he has 7 pts? no? 

    as for past - he probably has some post ovi fears he had to exterminate so that probably made him a bit unnerved..... but he is a changed man! and is scoring 3 G per game

    all jokes aside - i think svech is a great player but has been slowed by injury. i very much doubt that he is made available....

    4 goals one assist.  Dude should be doing more on his career than he has.  Still might though.

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    3 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

    4 goals one assist.  Dude should be doing more on his career than he has.  Still might though.

    you right! sorry i counted last game of the season. 

    yeap agree on that. 

     

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    7 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

    if he wants bridge deal - then offer 5 for 3 years. this will allow him to maximize earning in the future and allow us to trade him. win / win.  

    I still think he is gone but I agree this is the offer that should have been made but I think make it 6X3 or 6.5X3. At that you are flushing him out a bit. If he doesn't take that then he most likely has other plans elsewhere.  If he does it's still a nice payday bump for him and we get to see what he can do with a bit more seasoning but aren't hung with him long term if he has reached his ceiling. Billy low balled him at 5X5 and is just an indicator the decision has been made. If I'm a 60 point center at the age of 23 in the NHL no way am I taking a 5X5. Billy damn well knows this too. 

     

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    Well, if he is on the trade block lets showcase him a little more 🙂! I want some decent return. This would not be the same as a Fiala scenario at least (we got lucky with little leverage there). We would come out of it with some leverage finally, plenty of cash-ola, we could see a totally different-looking wild build next year... But lets go for promise & ceiling, not high-floor/known quantities... Lookin at you Preds!

    Zeev will have a fire lit under him after being thrown into the fray (you finally did it Wild!). Next, lets throw Ogre into the fray! (They won't)

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    12 hours ago, WildNotMild said:

    line 1 for Vegas is going to wake up in a big way

    A distinct possibility. Vegas knows we need to win one more game on the road. They are going to be maximizing matchups 100%. The Wild will need to keep their icings to a minimum. We don’t want to get caught with tired forwards and our third pair out against the Stoners. 

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    12 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

    i see what you did there.....freddy G has played the entire season - so shall we gift him another 5 year contract? ah F that - lifetime!

    Literally every GM in the history of the NHL would sign Freddie G for 2 million a year as long as he is producing 18 goals and 19 assists a season. 

     

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    12 hours ago, WildNotMild said:

    I have consistently said that I hope GMBG is doing the smart thing by waiting to sign Rossi until all needed dollars are used for Kaprizov.  To imply otherwise and reiterate your statements that only Kaprizov matters inaccurately cites me yet again.
     

    I said you have argued against Brock Boeser.  Again, you misrepresent me.

    You either don’t read or just flat out ignore other people’s actual posts when you reply.

    I read this site for years before actually ever posting and I think it is safe to say that most people who visit this site are familiar with ODC and his tactics.

    It is just not worth it bud. There are lots of informed takes and reasonable people on here to debate with over one point or another amicably. ODC isn't one of them. 

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    Confused by the Rossi situation at best. If he's being penalized for his size only, I believe he had the same height and approximate weight when they drafted him. So why did you draft him at all? Not like you drafted him unseen, and once you had him you then realized he was 5'9" and you were stuck with him. And the kicker is, is that he's a hard working skater who performs. Not sure what Hynes is trying to "prove" by stapling a 60 point scorer to the bench, but it should cost him his job. Especially if the VGN series goes south.

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    43 minutes ago, Patrick said:

    Literally every GM in the history of the NHL would sign Freddie G for 2 million a year as long as he is producing 18 goals and 19 assists a season. 

     

    So sign him for another 5 yrs then 

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    13 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

    thanks buddy! sorry if i am a bit odd today. but my dog is teething and that's never fun!

    Dog pics dog pics dog pics dog pics let's go

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    We don't know what goes on behind the scenes with Guerin, Hynes, Rossi and the rest of the team. I personally think that Guerin is driving this situation and there is something or things about Rossi that he doesn't like. Guerin is directing Hynes on how and where to play Rossi and it is with the intent of making Rossi appear to be a failure. When the Wild are in eliminated after the Vegas series, Guerin will pin some of it on Rossi and use it as justification to low ball an offer this summer or just let Rossi walk. The only person that hates seeing Rossi score on the fourth line is Bill Guerin because it undermines his talking points this summer.

    If Guerin really wants to win now, he would put his animosity and hidden agendas aside, allow Hynes to put the best possible team and lineups on the ice and see how far they can go. Worry about dealing with Rossi this summer after giving him a fair shake rather than stacking the deck against him now for leverage later.

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    5 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

    I'm a Rossi fan. Hope he leaves this team and lights it up on one that actually appreciates him.

    To add to this, why the hell did our genius GM Billy even draft him? Lundell was still available at the time.

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