Minnesota Wild Extends Marco Rossi

After months of negotiations amid differing views on his value, the Minnesota Wild and restricted free agent Marco Rossi reached a three-year agreement, ensuring his presence as training camp looms.

Contract Details and Terms

The Minnesota Wild have locked in forward Marco Rossi with a three-year contract valued at $15 million, averting the risk of an extended absence as training camp nears. The agreement runs through 2027-28 and reflects a middle ground reached after prolonged discussions on his worth.

Rossi’s salary starts at $4 million next season, rises to $5 million in 2026-27, and hits $6 million in the final year. Without an extension by summer 2027 or afterward, his qualifying offer heading into unrestricted free agency would be $6 million. The contract lacks trade protection due to his current eligibility.

Lacking arbitration rights, Rossi’s options were limited beyond a potential holdout, such as seeking an offer sheet from another team. Management pledged to match any such offers, but none emerged. The organization adheres to a structured pay model, slotting players like Rossi at specific levels while stressing a desire to keep him without personal implications.Rossi aimed to resolve the issue quickly to avoid disrupting preparations. His offseason training featured intense physical buildup through gym work and mountain climbing in Austria, plus faceoff improvements with veteran Joe Thornton.

Performance Highlights and Future Outlook

In his latest season, Rossi served as a top-six center, posting career highs of 24 goals and 60 points after a rookie year with 21 goals and 40 points that earned him all-rookie honors. He declined a five-year, $25 million extension last winter, per sources, comparing to deals like Dylan Strome’s five-year, $25 million pact in 2023 and Anton Lundell’s six-year, $30 million in 2024.

Drafted ninth overall in 2020, Rossi is a rare homegrown center success, ranking second in team scoring last year in his second full NHL season with perfect attendance both years. In the playoffs against Vegas—a six-game loss—he was shifted to the fourth line early, yet scored two goals despite low minutes. Trade talks in summer yielded only future assets or unwanted players, which were rejected to maintain team strength.

Post-playoff discussions addressed his usage, deemed disappointing, while GM expressed no rush to trade. Offseason goals included center upgrades around Joel Eriksson Ek; retaining Rossi fits, alongside additions like Nico Sturm on a two-year, $4 million deal, prospect Danila Yurov, and Ryan Hartman.

Rossi has met expectations since draft, overcoming COVID-19 and myocarditis setbacks, prioritizing team training over personal events. Beyond money, talks covered his role, with playoff minutes raising concerns, but roster suggests top-six start, possibly with Matt Boldy and Vladimir Tarasenko.The deal finalized a month ago when Rossi’s camp re-engaged. Leadership agrees on his top-six potential and backs his self-bet, seeing the term as growth runway. Recently engaged, Rossi voiced full excitement and eagerness to hit the ice with teammates.