Contract Negotiations Stall for Marco Rossi
As discussions between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi over a potential new contract stall, trade inquiries for the restricted free-agent center have begun to surface. However, Bill Guerin, the Wild’s president of hockey operations and general manager, stated on Sunday that he is not in a rush to part ways with the promising 23-year-old.
Rossi’s Contract Demands
Despite expressing a desire to retain Rossi, Guerin hinted at a threshold for negotiations, noting that Rossi’s current demands significantly exceed the Wild’s recent offers. Back in winter, the team proposed a five-year deal worth $25 million, but it was turned down after Rossi’s camp presented a counter-offer for a shorter “bridge” contract, which remains unreciprocated.
Playoff Performance and Future Prospects
With Rossi’s limited playoff ice time — just over 11 minutes per game, ranking him among the lowest on the team — the prospect of accepting a bridge deal seems improbable. Following a playoff season where he felt underutilized, Rossi expressed disappointment in his deployment.
Guerin acknowledged that there are differing views on Rossi’s value but emphasized his appreciation for the young talent. “Marco had another solid season, and while there’s speculation about his status, he remains a player we want to keep in the fold,” he said.
Urgency and Trade Speculations
Rossi sits at No. 2 on The Athletic’s offseason trade board. With July 1 approaching, when he can receive offer sheets from any of the other 31 NHL teams, the urgency for the Wild to finalize a contract grows. According to Rossi’s agent, Ian Pulver, the two parties have made reasonable contract proposals, although they disagree on Rossi’s worth and his future role with the team.
The Wild’s five-year contract offer aligns closely with contracts given to players like Anton Lundell from the Florida Panthers and Dylan Strome from the Washington Capitals. Rossi, having been drafted ninth overall in 2020, enjoyed improved stats last season, scoring 24 goals and tallying 60 points. Comparatively, player Matt Boldy, who was signed to a significant extension earlier, has more playing time and higher point totals.
Trade Rumors and Team Strategy
In recent contracts across the league, players of Rossi’s profile have found themselves earning upwards of $6 million annually. Current estimates place Rossi’s value around $5.262 million for a short-term deal, continuing to rise for longer-term contracts.
While there have been rumors of trades, including speculation tying Rossi to the Philadelphia Flyers, Guerin downplayed these discussions, indicating they haven’t engaged in serious negotiations.
“Teams are calling, but I’m not looking to weaken our roster. I value Marco as a good player, and we’re working to see if we can harmonize our views on this deal,” he explained.
Looking Ahead
As the NHL draft approaches, discussions and potential trades could intensify. Additionally, the Wild are eyeing external signings and looking to solidify their center position. Guerin remains optimistic about extending star player Kirill Kaprizov’s contract and potentially re-signing veteran forward Marcus Johansson if the financials align. Should they part ways with Johansson, the Wild also intend to submit a qualifying offer to defenseman Declan Chisholm, exemplifying their strategic planning as the offseason unfolds.
