Marco Rossi Secures New Contract with Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild have officially secured the talents of Marco Rossi by awarding him a new contract that spans three years and is worth $15 million, as reported by an NHL insider to ESPN. This agreement marks a significant development in the future of the young center, who has demonstrated considerable growth since being a ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Contract Details and Performance
Rossi’s new contract carries a salary cap impact of $5 million annually. The 23-year-old saw a breakout performance in the recently concluded NHL season, having scored 24 goals and provided 36 assists across 82 games. His total of 60 points not only signifies a remarkable improvement of 20 points from the previous year but also established him as a crucial player on the team, ranking second in points behind Matt Boldy and third in total goals after Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov.
Uncertain Status and Management Decisions
Despite his impressive stats, Rossi’s status had been uncertain going into the summer due to his restricted free agency. There were whispers of potential trades both as the last season concluded and into the offseason, with management revisiting their long-term commitment to Rossi amid contract discussions. Wild general manager Bill Guerin had mentioned a readiness to match any offer sheets from other teams, leaving Rossi with minimal negotiating power.
Future Outlook
The sides opted against extending negotiations into the upcoming training camp, settling instead on this bridge deal to maintain Rossi’s presence on the squad. Last season, the Wild concluded their campaign with 97 points, finishing fourth in the Central Division before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the initial round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Looking ahead, Guerin’s priorities include securing a contract extension for star winger Kirill Kaprizov, who is entering the final year of his deal next season. Details about Rossi’s contract were initially reported by The Athletic.
