Player Discussion Marco Rossi

[DeagleJenkins]

I don’t get why Rossi has the impression the team wouldn’t deploy him in a top 6 role. He earned the demotion to the 4th line leading up to and in game 1 of the playoffs with his play (injury related or not), but that doesn’t mean they view him as a bottom 6 player. His regular season minutes are top 6 amongst forwards in TOI per game (second to Ek at center) and top 4 in even strength TOI per game (more than Ek).

Considering BG stated he wants to add a C behind Ek, if I am one of the other C on the team id be worried about my roll. We can say he earned the demotion all we want, that demotion on top of your GM saying we need help at C makes a ton of sense for Rossi being concerned about where he is playing on this team.

 

[AKL]

Considering BG stated he wants to add a C behind Ek, if I am one of the other C on the team id be worried about my roll. We can say he earned the demotion all we want, that demotion on top of your GM saying we need help at C makes a ton of sense for Rossi being concerned about where he is playing on this team.

Plus Guerin talked about how Yurov will start at center. So if you're Rossi, you have Eriksson Ek, the help Guerin wants to bring in for Eriksson Ek, and Yurov all at center, on top of the playoff deployment where a horrendous Gaudreau still got to play above you.

Rossi really has no reason to compromise with Guerin at this point, he'll get traded and his new team will give him the fair contract without a fuss.

 

[BagHead]

What do the gophers have to do with Marco Rossi?

He lived with Thomas Vanek.

That is true. But a guy like Nyquist (and a few others) also earned a huge demotion, but didn’t get it. Can you imagine if it were Rossi's lazy play that was responsible for that offside that took away that OT winning goal putting is up 3-1 in the series? Hynes and Billy immediately defended Nyquist.

If I were Rossi, could I absolutely trust that they would deploy me in the rightful spots when others were given different treatment? This past postseason really had to have eroded some trust. JMO.

Exactly. He earned his demotion, but he wasn't the only one who did so. Others were actually playing worse in that series than he was, including the center immediately ahead of him. His defensive and possession play was poor, but he also produced 2nd to 3rd line points while playing 4th line minutes with guys who had put up almost no points for the Wild all season. I'm not surprised he's a little nervous about his future deployment and how it may impact his career earnings. I think that's very prudent of him, but it is also partially up to him to improve to a point where they can't bench him even when he's not fully on his game, because he's just too good.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Plus Guerin talked about how Yurov will start at center. So if you're Rossi, you have Eriksson Ek, the help Guerin wants to bring in for Eriksson Ek, and Yurov all at center, on top of the playoff deployment where a horrendous Gaudreau still got to play above you.

Rossi really has no reason to compromise with Guerin at this point, he'll get traded and his new team will give him the fair contract without a fuss.

Laying it out the way you did, I dont think I can see a way we sign him. It is almost written in stone he is being traded with the information given. I just hope i dont hate the return as much as I am expecting to.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I don't yet know my opinion if Rossi is flat out refusing the wing as an option. I would like to see some flexibility on that, but that could be a sticking point on either side too. Guerin might want to move him to wing, but doesn't want to pay him what he's earned as a center when there is zero time of Rossi playing wing. And maybe Rossi feels he wouldn't be comfortable there if he's played center all his life.

 

[AKL]

I don't yet know my opinion if Rossi is flat out refusing the wing as an option. I would like to see some flexibility on that, but that could be a sticking point on either side too. Guerin might want to move him to wing, but doesn't want to pay him what he's earned as a center when there is zero time of Rossi playing wing. And maybe Rossi feels he wouldn't be comfortable there if he's played center all his life.

Do we even have any rumblings that it's been talked about at all?

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Do we even have any rumblings that it's been talked about at all?

iv seen zero word about it even being a thought. Which leads me to believe even more he will be traded.

 

[ctmagic]

I could see a situation where you keep Rossi in a top 6 C role and also sign Nelson with him playing on the wing 5v5. Nelson with the high leverage draws on special teams. I hope if we keep Rossi to start the year, that we put him in a position to succeed. It’d be pretty ridiculous to bury him in a bottom 6 role coming off a great 2nd season.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Do we even have any rumblings that it's been talked about at all?

Honestly just guessing based on talking about UFA center help + Yurov being a center. I can't really believe it wouldn't have come up with Guerin saying both those things publicly. But maybe it's part of the disconnect of the whole thing.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

I am just trying to shed some light onto what is the possible problem in him signing a contract. However if the Wild do not see him as a bottom 6 player in their coming lineup then it should not be hard to commit to him right? A 7mil 2nd line center on a contender is not a bad deal at all. So why are they not commiting? Herein lies the problem.

It could really impact Rossi's career if he gets limited minutes. And if you base future years of a contract on a couple of games then that's a problem by itself. But again...I am pretty sure that is the sticking point right now.

If the Wild view the next 3-5 years as the Cup window, it’s better to have him on a lower cap hit deal with less term than 7x7 so they can add pieces to the roster to push them over.

I already know the counter is going to be Trenin and his contract. I’ve got a strong feeling that Guerin is or will be trying to get out of that.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Considering BG stated he wants to add a C behind Ek, if I am one of the other C on the team id be worried about my roll. We can say he earned the demotion all we want, that demotion on top of your GM saying we need help at C makes a ton of sense for Rossi being concerned about where he is playing on this team.

Think about the circumstances of this team. Ek is a mainstay on the PP and PK and he just missed 30+ games. Rossi doesn’t (or shouldn’t) play net front on the PP and he does not penalty kill. Our PK has been abysmal. Boldy helped improve it, but we still need a piece or two that can help that area out.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

I could see a situation where you keep Rossi in a top 6 C role and also sign Nelson with him playing on the wing 5v5. Nelson with the high leverage draws on special teams. I hope if we keep Rossi to start the year, that we put him in a position to succeed. It’d be pretty ridiculous to bury him in a bottom 6 role coming off a great 2nd season.

This is a great point.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Think about the circumstances of this team. Ek is a mainstay on the PP and PK and he just missed 30+ games. Rossi doesn’t (or shouldn’t) play net front on the PP and he does not penalty kill. Our PK has been abysmal. Boldy helped improve it, but we still need a piece or two that can help that area out.

I see what you are saying, but if you look at the way everything is going. listen to what is being said, I dont think PP and PK are what he is referring to. It appears to be shutdown roll in my eyes that he wants help with. If he says Yurov is playing C, he does not appear to be the shut down C type unless iv been watching the wrong highlights. If Yurov is on the NHL roster, what line does Rossi play C on?

 

[DigitalBoldy]

I see what you are saying, but if you look at the way everything is going. listen to what is being said, I dont think PP and PK are what he is referring to. It appears to be shutdown roll in my eyes that he wants help with. If he says Yurov is playing C, he does not appear to be the shut down C type unless iv been watching the wrong highlights. If Yurov is on the NHL roster, what line does Rossi play C on?

Kaprizov-Ek-Boldy
Nelson-Rossi-Ohgren
Foligno-Yurov-Hartman
Johansson-Gaudreau-Zuccarello

This allows the Wild a ton of versatility with Nelson and Hartman on the wings. Each can easily step into a center role as needed in certain game situations. Each line has size, except for the 4th line. If the size is needed, swap Zucc out for Trenin. This keeps old man Zucc refreshed during the season too.

 

[ctmagic]

On worst seats today talked a few times on how it’s not looking like Rossi will be around much longer.

Russo:

“They have a meeting last week, the Wild offer him a bridge deal. They have not countered yet.

And I think that they're going to counter on something higher in terms. But I just think that the way this is going is probably going to end with some sort of divorce here. And sooner than later.”

From Worst Seats in the House w/ Michael Russo & Anthony LaPanta - Minnesota Wild Podcast: Kaprizov on the PK?, Jun 2, 2025

This material may be protected by copyright.

 

[ctmagic]

Kaprizov-Ek-Boldy
Nelson-Rossi-Ohgren
Foligno-Yurov-Hartman
Johansson-Gaudreau-Zuccarello

This allows the Wild a ton of versatility with Nelson and Hartman on the wings. Each can easily step into a center role as needed in certain game situations. Each line has size, except for the 4th line. If the size is needed, swap Zucc out for Trenin. This keeps old man Zucc refreshed during the season too.

100% how it’s gotta be if we extend Rossi and sign Nelson. I don’t hate this lineup albeit a little anticlimactic.

 

[AKL]

On worst seats today talked a few times on how it’s not looking like Rossi will be around much longer.

Russo:

“They have a meeting last week, the Wild offer him a bridge deal. They have not countered yet.

And I think that they're going to counter on something higher in terms. But I just think that the way this is going is probably going to end with some sort of divorce here. And sooner than later.”

From Worst Seats in the House w/ Michael Russo & Anthony LaPanta - Minnesota Wild Podcast: Kaprizov on the PK?, Jun 2, 2025

This material may be protected by copyright.

Yeah I have no doubt he's getting traded, so hopefully the return is good. I want a good young player similar to Rossi, not a declining UFA age player.

 

[Sweetnut]

I get more than enough of Pants screaming in my ears during the season, not sure if I want to hear him spewing lies with Russo during offseason too.

 

[Spurgeon]

Yeah I have no doubt he's getting traded, so hopefully the return is good. I want a good young player similar to Rossi, not a declining UFA age player.

If it’s not for Peterka, I’d hope it’s someone like Hayton. A young center under contract that leaves us with just enough room to make a reasonable offer to Marner.

I also hope wherever Rossi goes, he makes Guerin regret trading him. Kid has seemingly done everything right.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Yeah I have no doubt he's getting traded, so hopefully the return is good. I want a good young player similar to Rossi, not a declining UFA age player.

He links us to Peterka right after saying that as apparently we are very interested in him.

 

[north21]

So if billy can't work a trade does rossi sign an offer sheet July 1?

 

[BagHead]

So if billy can't work a trade does rossi sign an offer sheet July 1?

I think that entirely depends on what other teams are willing to offer him. If they offer him a contract the Wild won't, he'll probably sign and give Guerin a difficult decision to make.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So if billy can't work a trade does rossi sign an offer sheet July 1?

I'm still not certain he gets one.

 

[ctmagic]

Feels like Rossi is going to do everything in his power to protect his career and get out on MN at this point. Wish we had a different coach, Hynes is a f*cking plug. I’m still riding the fence on BG.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

If it’s not for Peterka, I’d hope it’s someone like Hayton. A young center under contract that leaves us with just enough room to make a reasonable offer to Marner.

I also hope wherever Rossi goes, he makes Guerin regret trading him. Kid has seemingly done everything right.

Rossi's picture is the front page of TSN today. Teams are salivating at the chance of picking up a talent like him on the cheap. It'll probably end up being a difference of 200K but hey maybe they can bring Nyquist back on a cheap deal too.