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  • The Wild Are Letting the Tail Wag the Dog With Marco Rossi


    Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
    Tom Schreier

    It isn’t news that Marco Rossi was “very disappointed” by how the Minnesota Wild used him in their six-game playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Eleven minutes a night is barely enough to break a sweat for a player who scored two playoff goals for an offense-needy team. 

    In his exit meetings, Rossi asked why he didn’t have a larger role in the playoffs. 

    “It was a good talk,” Rossi said. “As a player, you don’t always have to understand some decisions, but it’s important to respect those decisions. I know it’s a huge thing.”

    “To me, it’s understanding each other’s side,” John Hynes said. “For sure, he’s not going to be overly excited about his minutes. … We have honest conversations. We’ve had it. We’re in a good spot. He understands. I understand where he’s coming from and how he felt. Now you just move on.”

    Move on is the active phrase here. Does Hynes mean the Wild are eventually moving on from Rossi, perhaps as soon as this offseason? Or is he suggesting they’ve moved past the conversation and onto next year?

    It seems increasingly more evident that the Wild will trade Rossi. To believe otherwise feels like wishful thinking.

    Hynes later cited playoff production and Ryan Hartman’s promotion to explain why he used Rossi in a fourth-line role. 

    Hartman redeemed himself in the playoffs after his suspension earlier this season. Hartman played 17 minutes a night and had two goals and four assists. He would have had the game-winner in Game 5, but Nyquist went offside.

    Therein lies the rub. Historically, teams that win Game 5 in a 2-2 series advance 79% of the time. Nyquist’s mistake cost the Wild that game, and potentially the series. 

    Did the Wild bench Nyquist for his lack of attention to detail? Of course not. He’s a 35-year-old veteran. Still, they could have demoted Nyquist, elevated Rossi, and moved Hartman to his natural position on the wing.

    How about Frederick Gaudreau? The 32-year-old didn’t have any points but played 14 minutes per game in the playoffs. Rossi couldn’t have taken his spot?

    Rossi’s role wasn’t about production. It was about size. He’s a 23-year-old, 5-foot-9, 180 lbs. center, and Minnesota’s general manager is a 6-foot-2, 220 lbs. 18-year NHL veteran who was more productive in his 30s than his 20s. 

    "I think [Joel Eriksson Ek] needs a little help,” Guerin said at his end-of-season press conference. “He's in a battle every single night. There's no easy nights for him, you know? So I think... we could create some help, there."

    It’s hard to read that as anything but slighting Rossi, who served as Minnesota’s No. 1 center when Eriksson Ek was out this season.

    Guerin tends to prioritize players like him: Large veterans. Rossi is neither of those things. The Wild will likely trade him as soon as this year’s draft. If they do, they will be moving on from a 20-goal, 45-point player at a position of need who’s still two to three years away from his prime.

    Like Gaudreau, Nyquist had no points in Minnesota’s series against Vegas. It’s not about production with Rossi. It’s about size. It always has been. The Wild are letting the tail wag the dog. Size doesn’t matter, but production does. Instead, they’ve ostracized him because he doesn’t fit their preferred player prototype.

    The Wild are about to let a player who went from 40 to 60 points this season at a position they need because Guerin has to squint to see him from his seat in the 300 level. They will trade skill for size, which is symbolic of their ongoing mismanagement that has cemented them in the NHL’s middle class.

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    Do you think SillyG could go on KFAN and publically talk shit about Rossi prior to trading him?

    Rossi and Boldy were the only 2 players to play 82 games this season, and Rossi and Faber were the only 2 players on the roster to play 82 games last season.  By how much Rossi's play dropped off down the stretch, I was hoping it would come out that he was battling an ailment, but that news hasn't trickled out.  Frankly, I would agree with the assessment that Hartzy earned that role in the playoffs over Rossi, simply put, at the time Hartman was playing better hockey than Rossi was.

    But yeah, we drafted a big bodied forward (Stramel) who had to go to the transfer portal and center the eventual Hobey Baker winner in order to get an ASTOUNDING 27 points (18 apples) in 37 games...but at least he isn't 5'9, am i right?!

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    5 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

    Do you think SillyG could go on KFAN and publically talk shit about Rossi prior to trading him?

     

    Of course... Why break from tradition?

    Ok, so Hartman outperformed Rossi with better linemates. But Rossi coul've replaced Freddie on that line for more production.

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    Tom - you are the GM - i am assuming you are signing Rossi LT? So what is the right contract and placement on the lines for him. Go ahead - give me the $ and Y. $10MM for 8?

    Did the Wild bench Nyquist for his lack of attention to detail? Of course not. He’s a 35-year-old veteran. Still, they could have demoted Nyquist, elevated Rossi, and moved Hartman to his natural position on the wing. - demoted him where? you realize that 3rd and 4th line played almost EXACT amount of even strength minutes? and Rossi and Trenin and Braz were delivering results - WHY would you break them up? so that Rossi goes to line with Freddy and MJ? do you think that line can make a play? can they hold their own? No, of course not! Or you want Hartman to be given the task to babysit Rossi when he is being deployed against the very best Vegas lines? Nope - protect Rossi! Seriously! Rossi was rightfully placed on the line where his skills could be used. And given time against weaker matchup and the right players surrounding him. 

    How about Frederick Gaudreau? The 32-year-old didn’t have any points but played 14 minutes per game in the playoffs. Rossi couldn’t have taken his spot? so let's place Rossi and Mj and Nyquist as a line? just imagine that line .... oh goose bumps! There are matchups to consider and ROssi could not cut it against Vegas top 6. Plain and simple. He got soft minutes because he could not be trusted against top dogs of vegas

    Instead, they’ve ostracized him because he doesn’t fit their preferred player prototype.  they did not. rossi struggled. got demoted (deservingly). then rossi found some chemistry with trenin. and hynes left him there to give the team (which is more important than one player - even one as great as Rossi) some sort of balance. maybe if he put $ aside and showed up during the last part of the season and in the playoffs - he'd be signed to the same contract as Boldy (if not higher) - instead he let it become this soap opera

    The Wild are about to let a player who went from 40 to 60 points this season at a position they need because Guerin has to squint to see him from his seat in the 300 level.  sometimes players get moved. he is not our priority. he is at most - 4th in the importance ranking among forwards and likely that's too high. so why all the hysteria? 

    They will trade skill for size worked out for billy when he got Fabers fat ass for skilled Forward? some say...

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    These Rossi articles keep coming just to keep the forum going at fever pitch I think! 🤔 I've used the term again and again here "Billy's Boys" and it's a real thing. You're either one of them or you're not. Size seems to be a qualifier Billy uses as this article states but really it could be anything. Maybe Billy seen Rossi putting french vanilla creamer in his coffee or drinking a salted caramel frothy milk cappuccino or maybe he caught Rossi washing his hands after using the restroom and Billy thought yeah he's got soft skills can't even drink black coffee and is always washing his hands. 

    That's the thing with Billy. He's an emotional and not a critical thinker. One theme keeps showing itself however he does not like small guys who produce.  I couldn't find Andrew Heydt stats listed anywhere but i'm going to guess he was around 5'6" and a buck fifty. 

    Edited by MacGyver
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    Hynes is a stiff.  He got out coached and played.  It's in his DNA lol.  He has a terrible playoff record.  Yes Guerin likes them big and tough.  So what good does it do to bring in these big guys for their size and fighting ability if they can't play hockey?  IMO the NHL is reverting back to goon hockey.  The playoffs have been a joke.  Way to much stick work.  Way too much hitting punching cross checking high sticking after the whistles.  It's getting back to being compared to WWE on skates.  It's sad too

      Such a great fast sport is again being dragged down by the leagues promoting goons.  And the referees are about as bad as I've seen in the past 20 years.  So the Wild will beef up and promote brawn over results.  Apparently that's what fans want.  At least that's what they are saying.  What a waste of skills and talents for the dwindling number of NHL players that can actually play.

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    I don't get the Rossi deal. BG drafted him at 5'9 165lbs or so. I get BG has a big ego but my god, did he think that he was going to literally coach him up to 6-4 230lbs. Did BG forget his measuring tape and scale during the draft process??  Rossi should tell BG thanks for the opportunity but I'm not playing for you anymore so yes trade me. He will go on to be a legit top 6 center for another team and we can watch Nelson and wait for Charlie 'bust' stramel.. hopefully yurov pans out. 

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    31 minutes ago, walt said:

     He will go on to be a legit top 6 center for another team and we can watch Nelson and wait for Charlie 'bust' stramel.. hopefully yurov pans out. 

    Yurov is 8 pounds lighter than Rossi...

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    37 minutes ago, walt said:

    Did BG forget his measuring tape and scale during the draft process??

    Drafting Rossi ahead of Cole Perfetti (5'11), Anton Lundell (6'1) and Dylan Holloway (6'1) and then complaining he's too small? 

    Nah...doesn't sound like something SillyG would do.

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    14 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

    It’s not the size necessarily but how you use it, Rossi plays the game light 

    Exactly. If it was only about size, Zucc wouldn't be on the team, nor would Spurgeon. I think everyone is way too hung up on this size thing. It's Rossi's play style BG doesn't like.

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    2 hours ago, greg said:

    So the Wild will beef up and promote brawn over results.

    Let's bring back the days when we had Boogey Man, Todd Fedoruk, and thought that wasn't enough the Wild trade deadline addition was grabbing Chris Simon! 

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    4 hours ago, greg said:

    Such a great fast sport is again being dragged down by the leagues promoting goons.  And the referees are about as bad as I've seen in the past 20 years.

    I’m ready to move on from Bettman. The league needs a spark. I love watching Kap, NMcK, McD. Probably my least favorite hockey moment of the last decade was watching KK getting hit then sat on then folded to the ice. I’d also like the league to get serious about cross checks. Make it a mandatory 5 minute major. It would make scoring go up and create a more dynamic atmosphere around the net. I think it’s an absolute crime to see really good skill guys get their careers shortened by someone who’s name I can’t remember, nor do I enjoy watching. The game is inherently violent by its nature, speed, solid boards, and a frozen puck. The NFL is not a perfect league but they are a good example of making changes to protect their players and grow the game. 

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    17 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

    forward (Stramel) who had to go to the transfer portal and center the eventual Hobey Baker winner in order to get an ASTOUNDING 27 points (18 apples) in 37 games.

    We’ve got out 4th line center for the future.  And it only cost a first round pick.  In Judd We Trust

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    13 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

    It’s not the size necessarily but how you use it, Rossi plays the game light 

    BINGO!  If Rossi played like Marchand/Stank/Domi bill would live him.  And Rossi would play top 6 playoff minutes

    Edited by Pewterschmidt
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    Open letter to Craig Leipold:

    Dear Mr. Leipold,

    It is with my deepest sympathy that I offer condolences on your loss in the first round of the playoffs, again. The tragic losses that you have suffered seem unbearable and the only hope for ending this epidemic is to make a change. Your challenge is to make the correct change and you only have until June 30, 2025 or your fate will be sealed once again.

    To make the correct changes, often times you look at what others are doing correctly and model yourself after them. One could argue that the Florida Panthers are the current model of success in the NHL. They are in the Eastern Conference finals this season, they won the Cup last season and were runner-up the prior season.

    Bill Zito is their general manager. He is 60 years old and graduate of Yale Law School, a real smart cookie. He played hockey as an undergrad at Yale and was listed as being 5'10" and 190 lbs. Pretty much the polar opposite of your current GM in all aspects.

    Take a look at four of the Panthers top ten scorerers from the past season:

    1 - Sebastian Aho, center, $9.75M, 6'0", 180 lbs, 27 yrs, 29G/45A reg, 3G/7A PO

    2 - Seth Jarvis, center, $7.9M, 5'10", 184 lbs, 23 yrs, 32G/35A reg, 4G/6A PO

    7 - Logan Stankoven, center, ELC, 5'8", 165 lbs, 22 yrs, 14G/24A reg, 3G/2A PO

    10 - Jackson Blake, RW, ELC, 5'11", 178 lbs, 17G/17A reg, 2G/3A PO

    Contrast this to your current GM's vision of your teams in the past and in moving forward. Big, slow, gritty, injury-prone, aging veterans past their primes with term and limited or no movement contracts.

    The reason for the sense of urgency for you to make the necessary change is that your current GM seems likely to unload a very valuable piece of your roster, Marco Rossi. Compare Rossi to any of the four Carolina players listed above and tell me there isn't a spot on a championship caliber team for a player like him. The only team in the league that doesn't seem to think so is yours. What does that tell you?

    It is time to end your relationship with Bill Guerin and move on from the mediocrity, arrogance and general stupidity that he has lead your team with. You can't wait until July 1 to do it. It's either Guerin or Rossi, which translates to either more first round exits or the possibility of playoff success.

    Thank you for your consideration.

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    Rumors are that several teams are considering offer sheets to Rossi. The Devils are at the top of that list. Billy has a stubby thinking about Brock Nelson coming here. My prediction is Rossi goes for an underwhelming return and a 33 year old Nelson comes in around a 4X7 maybe 8 deal and that will be Billy's big splash. 

    But I also predicted the Wild would get out of the first round! So there's that! 🤣

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    The wild gm / coach going into the playoffs with a healthy team and Fred g as 2 nd line center is an absolute joke! What pathetic hockey minds. Hes 32 and proven he’s a soft weak pedestrian! Yet once again he’s out there as 2 nd line center. He was the worst player along with nyquist in playoffs. Which isn’t surprising because he’s the worst player on this team. Yet he’s still here .another 3 years of soft Fred taking someone’s opportunities.  The fact he’s on this team and used the way he is without looking for an upgrade tells you everything about management. They are flipping clueless losers. Who set a record for being losers.  
        Oh but Rossi did well on 4 th line or he wouldn’t have made a difference if he moved up because of his play style is another flipping joke. Fred g doing nothing year after year and we’re supposed to believe Rossi was going to be worse. My arse. I’m not a Rossi fan but I respect his game. I don’t respect whatever it is Fred does. Or do I respect the clowns who signed him and keep giving him opportunities to prove he’s not any nhler on a cup contender. 
        Rossi will be gone for Pennie’s on the dollar and good ole boy Fred will be wasting a roster spot an opportunities for years to come.  That’s pathetic hockey minds watching him glide around . 
        As far as this sport getting to physical . That’s another joke. This is the weakest, least physical generation of hockey . They are taking physicality out of every sport and ruining it . Watching wimps dance around with no physicality is ridiculous. There are no rivals anymore, no must see games because teams hate each other.  These coddled babies have the best medicine, travel and life they ever had , yet they are always hurt or to tired to show up. Pretty soon hockey is going to be no contact figure skating. 

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    2 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

    Open letter to Craig Leipold:

    Dear Mr. Leipold,

    It is with my deepest sympathy that I offer condolences on your loss in the first round of the playoffs, again. The tragic losses that you have suffered seem unbearable and the only hope for ending this epidemic is to make a change. Your challenge is to make the correct change and you only have until June 30, 2025 or your fate will be sealed once again.

    To make the correct changes, often times you look at what others are doing correctly and model yourself after them. One could argue that the Florida Panthers are the current model of success in the NHL. They are in the Eastern Conference finals this season, they won the Cup last season and were runner-up the prior season.

    Bill Zito is their general manager. He is 60 years old and graduate of Yale Law School, a real smart cookie. He played hockey as an undergrad at Yale and was listed as being 5'10" and 190 lbs. Pretty much the polar opposite of your current GM in all aspects.

    Take a look at four of the Panthers top ten scorerers from the past season:

    1 - Sebastian Aho, center, $9.75M, 6'0", 180 lbs, 27 yrs, 29G/45A reg, 3G/7A PO

    2 - Seth Jarvis, center, $7.9M, 5'10", 184 lbs, 23 yrs, 32G/35A reg, 4G/6A PO

    7 - Logan Stankoven, center, ELC, 5'8", 165 lbs, 22 yrs, 14G/24A reg, 3G/2A PO

    10 - Jackson Blake, RW, ELC, 5'11", 178 lbs, 17G/17A reg, 2G/3A PO

    Contrast this to your current GM's vision of your teams in the past and in moving forward. Big, slow, gritty, injury-prone, aging veterans past their primes with term and limited or no movement contracts.

    The reason for the sense of urgency for you to make the necessary change is that your current GM seems likely to unload a very valuable piece of your roster, Marco Rossi. Compare Rossi to any of the four Carolina players listed above and tell me there isn't a spot on a championship caliber team for a player like him. The only team in the league that doesn't seem to think so is yours. What does that tell you?

    It is time to end your relationship with Bill Guerin and move on from the mediocrity, arrogance and general stupidity that he has lead your team with. You can't wait until July 1 to do it. It's either Guerin or Rossi, which translates to either more first round exits or the possibility of playoff success.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    oh wow that almost had me tearing up old friend! 😥

    but the fact remains the same - Rossi does not align with our vision of what our top 6 needs. he plays small and we have enough small guys. You don't need Yale degree to notice that Rossi's play diminished and weaknesses were apparent when the game intensity increased. He could not be counted on. if Canes want to send us Svech for him - please and thank you.

    GM vision of big, slow, gritty, injury prone and aging....??? hmmm - so Is Boldy that? is Kap that? is Ek that? is Zuccy that? is Harty that? is Yurov that (who knows - he may be injury prone) Apart from Nyquist (who is gone) and Braz (who i hope follows Nyquist out) who are you complaining about? Foligno? (i mean i don't know who would complain about him after a stellar PO) There is Trenin (who was one of the best PO performers) and Freddy (yeah he sucked).

    so really there is a good balance. but not enough skill and toughness in top 6. 

    if Kap signs extension - Bill gets extended for Life

    No matter what happens to little austrian

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    18 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

    I’m ready to move on from Bettman. The league needs a spark. I love watching Kap, NMcK, McD. Probably my least favorite hockey moment of the last decade was watching KK getting hit then sat on then folded to the ice. I’d also like the league to get serious about cross checks. Make it a mandatory 5 minute major. It would make scoring go up and create a more dynamic atmosphere around the net. I think it’s an absolute crime to see really good skill guys get their careers shortened by someone who’s name I can’t remember, nor do I enjoy watching. The game is inherently violent by its nature, speed, solid boards, and a frozen puck. The NFL is not a perfect league but they are a good example of making changes to protect their players and grow the game. 

    Let's  bring back the 80-90's Clutch and grab, line brawls, and a fight a period. The playoffs were so much more intense back in those non wok days.

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    8 minutes ago, RedLake said:

    The playoffs were so much more intense

    Overall I’m enjoying the playoffs this year. Sure the Wild are no longer participating, but many former Wild players still have a shot at a Cup. Reality is a contending team needs a combination of speed, skill, size, toughness as you mentioned, solid goaltending with a shot of chemistry and a pinch of luck. 

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    I really think Shooter is playing the RFA status of Rossi quite well at the moment.  If he's down talking Rossi, other teams will be interested in making an offer.  Perhaps to the point that other teams try to low ball him.  If Rossi accepts a low ball offer we can choose to match it and get Rossi on the cheap. If a team offers over 7.02 million and say goodbye to Rossi, we end up with a first second and third round draft pick.  

    I estimate Rossi is worth right around 7 million a year for a long term deal, say 5+ years. The key to RFA is having the cap space to counter offer, which we have.  

    If we do keep Rossi, and for the record I hope we do, I'd like to find someone who can play skilled and big next to him in a top six role. I also think he can learn to play with more grit, as he has shown improvement from his previous years.  He is still young and growing.

    Edited by AKwildkraken
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