Marco Rossi and the Minnesota Wild finalized a three-year, $5-million bridge deal earlier this week, ending months of speculation about his future - or so it seems.
While the new contract guarantees Rossi will be at training camp and ready to play for the Wild without missing any time, one NHL insider isn’t sold that the new extension means Rossi will play all three seasons in Minnesota.
Hockey analyst Elliotte Friedman weighed in on Rossi’s new contract on the Aug. 23 episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast.
“I don’t know if Marco Rossi is going to finish out his term as a member of the Minnesota Wild, but I will bet you three years from now the Wild and Rossi will look back and say ‘it was a good thing that we did this and didn’t let this linger,’” Friedman said.
Friedman reported that the deal was a smart one on both sides. He noted that cooler heads prevailed, and neither Rossi nor the Wild wanted a prolonged standoff, as both recognized that missing camp or games would not benefit anyone.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that all is forgotten or forgiven.
The bridge contract reflects the uneasy ending to last season, when Rossi was demoted down the lineup in the playoffs, averaging 11:08 of ice time across six games.
He may still be leery about where he fits with the Wild, even if GM Bill Guerin said after the deal, "I think he is just scratching the surface."
The compromise allows him to start the season motivated and ready to make an immediate impact, while giving Minnesota flexibility if circumstances change.
Multiple routes could shape Rossi’s future. One scenario is that he continues to progress, improving his production in a top-six role and ultimately becoming a long-term fixture in Minnesota.
Another possibility is a trade if either side decides a change would better serve the team’s needs or Rossi’s career trajectory.
All that said, Rossi’s situation in Minnesota could be one to keep an eye on for the future.
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