ST. PAUL — Marco Rossi is thriving.
The 22-year-old continues to make an impact every night in what has been a strong rookie season. Simply put, he’s been one of the Minnesota Wild’s most important players. Just like Brock Faber, where would the Wild be without him?
Possibly not in the playoff race.
Rossi is tied with Chicago’s Connor Bedard for the rookie lead with 17 goals and is tied with Faber for second in scoring among rookies with 33 points. Rossi, who is poised to be a Calder Trophy finalist, continues to make strides this season after having a difficult start to his NHL career a year ago.
The Wild demoted Rossi in November 2022 after he had just one point in his first 16 NHL contests. He simply wasn’t ready. But he found his game and regained his confidence in AHL Iowa after the demotion last season, where he scored 16 goals and 51 points in 53 games — a 22-goal, 69-point pace.
Rossi stayed in Minnesota last summer to train and prepare for this season with the hope of making an impact at the NHL level. He’s done exactly that, and that work has paid dividends.
Iowa Wild general manager Mike Murray had a front row seat to Rossi’s resurgence in Des Moines last season and says this is an example of why patience is required in the development process for many.
“You talk about guys who have earned their role here, right? He had to work hard for that,” Murray said of Rossi. “I think the fanbase had an expectation for him, (and) the media had an expectation for him. But that’s our approach as an organization: The player’s going to dictate to us when he’s ready to make an impact at the NHL level and sometimes that takes patience.
“Sometimes like a Matt Boldy, it takes him half a season in the AHL, right? And sometimes with a player like Marco Rossi, it takes a little longer, but there's no right or wrong path. If they eventually get here and can contribute to the big club, then ultimately we’re happy.
“Marco has done all the right things, all the things we’ve asked of him. And to see him succeed out there — it’s nice to see all that (work) pay off.”
Feb 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (23) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsWith Rossi on the ice, the Wild have controlled 53.05% of the expected goal share and 57.89% of the actual goal share (33-24), per Natural Stat Trick. Rossi, who has a team-leading 23 drawn penalties, ranks first in individual high-danger chances, third in expected goals and sixth in shot attempts at five-on-five.
One way the young center can take his game to the next level is by utilizing his release more. Through 56 games this season, Rossi only has 108 shots, which is just a 1.93 shot-per-game rate.
Rossi, who is averaging 16:32 a game, has been effective all season despite playing up and down the lineup. Take the past two games for instance. The Wild moved Marco Rossi to a line with Jake Lucchini and Vinni Lettieri during their win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday afternoon. Rossi scored in that game on that line and found the back of the net again in Wednesday’s loss in Winnipeg.
Wherever Rossi has gone, success has followed. Unlike last season, Rossi is producing and making a strong impact.
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