
The Minnesota Wild might have just pulled off the luckiest move of the entire NHL offseason.
In a move that’s left many fans scratching their heads, the Buffalo Sabres reportedly rejected a trade offer from the Wild that would have sent center Marco Rossi to Buffalo in exchange for JJ Peterka.
Both players are 23 years old and coming off breakout seasons -- Peterka notched 68 points in 77 games, while Rossi tallied 60 points in 80 games. The Wild were reportedly willing to sweeten the deal with additional assets -- another roster player, picks, or prospects -- to make the trade work. On paper, the value seemed nearly even, with both players in need of a fresh start and carrying similar upside.
Instead, the Sabres opted to trade Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan, a return many analysts and fans have called underwhelming. The decision to pass on Rossi, a former top-10 draft pick with elite playmaking potential, has sparked criticism of Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams, especially given that other offers reportedly included names like Jordan Kyrou, Noah Dobson, and even multiple first-round picks.
While Buffalo may have prioritized positional needs -- Kesselring is a right-shot defenseman, a known area of need -- the optics of turning down a high-upside forward like Rossi have only added to the narrative of puzzling front-office decisions in Buffalo.
All of this is to say: The Wild got away with something.
Peterka for Rossi as a straight one-for-one swap could have been something that eventually worked for both sides, but considering the Wild were going to attach draft picks, prospects, and potentially other roster players for the former Sabres winger, feels like a little bit much. Peterka is a fine player, but he led all forwards in on-ice shooting percentage last season and is a negative defensive player. That is a risky acquisition, and Rossi is perhaps the exact opposite of that type of player; as someone who does everything right with high-danger plays on the ice but maybe doesn't get the right bounces every night.
Now, the Wild might be "forced" to re-sign Rossi, the pending restricted free agent, and keep him around. Unless, another high-level impact forward becomes available and Wild GM Bill Guerin will then promptly throw the 23-year-old Austrian in exchange.
- The Wild are aiming to add a middle-six center to the team soon and they could do it in a low-ceiling trade. So, who is the better fit? Jean-Gabriel Pageau or a returning Charlie Coyle? [Hockey Wilderness]
- The Minnesota Wild traded dependable forward Frederick Gaudreau to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, for a 2025 fourth-round pick. Gaudreau has three years left on a deal paying him $2.1 million per year. So, it's really a move about what comes next for the Wild, rather than a transaction in a vacuum. [Hockey Wilderness]
Off the trail...
- Hey, there's a new CBA! It will feature loads of interesting new rules and regulations. Everything from shortening player contracts by a year, banning dress codes, to getting rid of the playoff LTIR loophole many champions have used. [Daily Faceoff]
- The major questions heading into the 2025 NHL Draft. Who will be the big surprise pick? [Sportsnet]
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