Sources: Rossi’s beefy contract demand a roadblock for Wild in trade talks
With the Stanley Cup Final set to get underway this week, it is truly the beginning of “silly season” in the NHL. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli has already put together his Trade Targets board in preparation for the offseason; as soon as the Cup is awarded (or even sometimes before) the hockey world’s attention shifts to players who could be on the move.
Sitting No. 3 on Seravalli’s board is Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, who has been the subject of trade rumors going back to last summer. As many have already reported at this time, Rossi’s camp is looking for a contract similar to that of Matthew Boldy in the seven-year, $49 million range. By all accounts, that price is too expensive for GM Bill Guerin’s taste, and he has at least begun to take calls on Rossi.
According to sources, the Philadelphia Flyers have had lukewarm interest in Rossi going back to 2024. I was told that Guerin and Flyers GM Danny Briere did have a brief conversation regarding Rossi in the late fall of 2024; one of the names mentioned as part of a potential deal was center Morgan Frost, who was eventually dealt to the Calgary Flames.
To clarify my report from last week, I have not gotten any indication the teams have engaged in trade talks recently. The teams did not (at least as of last week) present specific packages, players or picks to one another to hammer out a potential trade; my report was based solely on what sources close to both sides told me they’d be looking for in a deal.
Speaking with those close to the Wild, Tyson Foerster (fresh off signing a two year extension carrying an AAV of $3.75 million) is a name they have interest in as a return for Rossi. According to a source, if the Wild are to be giving up a center (a premium position right now) they will need an impactful piece back on the wing. I was originally told that one of the Flyers’ later-round draft picks could get a deal done, but it was later clarified to me after my initial report that one of those picks would only be a starting point.
From the Flyers’ side, neither Foerster nor either of their two late first-round picks (via the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers) is on the table for Rossi. According to a team source, the Wild were asking for one of the later-round picks last season when the two sides engaged briefly on Rossi discussions; the Flyers had no appetite for it then and remain steadfast in the same belief now. Furthermore, the 7×7 contract demand from the Rossi camp has also scared off the Flyers from even reaching out to the Wild to talk trade at this time.
The Flyers and Wild are not the only teams that have had a hard time making sense of Rossi’s contract demands, as an Atlantic division team executive – from a team that needs center help in their own right – borderline laughed at the seven year, $49 million demand. The same executive asked the question whether or not Rossi “is really a top-six center you can win with.”
Speaking with an executive from a Central division team in need of help down the middle as well, more skepticism was shown towards acquiring Rossi’s services. The executive said that his team would not have an appetite to move off of any of their draft picks or prospects, while also citing the team’s “need to get bigger,” which Rossi would not help with.
Guerin has remained steadfast publicly in echoing that he is perfectly fine keeping Rossi. Speaking to those within the organization, I have gotten the same message that the team is not looking to trade Rossi at all costs. But even with saying that, it is no secret that the Wild are looking to go big game hunting this summer to add a second line pivot to insulate Joel Eriksson Ek. Let’s say that player ends up being Brock Nelson on a three- or four- year deal in the neighborhood of $7 million – it won’t leave much room for Rossi to find a long term niche in Minnesota’s top six.
Minnesota isn’t alone in its trepidation over Rossi’s long term capabilities as a top-six pivot, despite his impressive 60-point season in 2024-25. But after finishing the playoffs on the Wild’s fourth line, is there some validity to multiple teams’ hesitancy to commit a long term and significant dollars to him? The center market is scarce and many teams need help at the position, so I have no doubt in my mind Rossi will garner interest on the trade block. But one has to wonder what the return and subsequent contract will end up being for Rossi with a handful of teams expressing decent concern.
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