Marco Rossi stepped up big time in the Wild's 5-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
The Minnesota Wild (18-4-4) were in for a big test without their No. 1 center Joel Eriksson Ek on the Injured Reserve and out week-to-week.
But, Marco Rossi continues to silence the haters after he put up a three-point performance on Friday night.
Rossi, 23, has been the subject of trade rumors for over a year now because of his lack of ability to play without the puck and his size.
He might have put an end to that after continuing to play better and better every game. He scored twice in the Wild's 5-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
The 5-foot-9 center was elevated to the top line in place of Eriksson Ek to play alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. The trio scored four of the five Wild goals. The other was an empty net goal from Yakov Trenin.
Rossi now has nine goals, 14 assists, and 23 points in 26 games for the Wild. He is on pace for 28 goals, 44 assists, and 72 points in 82 games this year.
Sure, there may be some concerns about Rossi not engaging in physical play, or his play along the boards, or his play without the puck, but he is producing on a team that is first in the NHL.
This season at 5-on-5, the Wild have outscored the opposition 22-11. Rossi has a 57.5 xGF% this season. So despite general thoughts, Rossi is proving the thought of a bad game to be wrong. Results are results and Rossi stepped up big-time in the Wild's latest win.
Let us know what you think by commenting below or on the Forum.
Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' Minnesota Wild page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
Follow Dylan Loucks on Blue Sky and Twitter (X).