The Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/game-day/canadiens-taming-the-panthers] need help at the center position. The Minnesota Wild seem to like bigger players. That’s the vibe I’ve gotten from Bill Guerin. They currently rank as the 15th biggest team according to Elite Prospects [https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/nhl/teams-physical-stats/2022-2023]. The Canadiens are ranked 16th and I’m asking them to get a bit smaller. They should try and acquire Marco Rossi. Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/351540e9-4f9c-42d6-a7a3-59ff83f898b7.webp] I heard rumblings about a year ago that he was available in trade. He had some health issues that are now in the past and he only had a 40-point season. The positive side was he scored 21 goals. Now that he’s gotten a lot more reps he currently has 21 goals and 32 assists. All are career highs but there’s more to his game. His hits are up and so is his face-off percentage. He’s at 48% and recently he was up to 81.8% in a game against Vancouver. 15 of his goals are even strength. This guy defies what you think a 5’9” player can do and he would slot in well for the Canadiens. Rossi will be in his final RFA season next year. The Canadiens can put together a package of picks and a prospect to try and land him. He has what they need and it would help fill that void down the middle. He is unafraid to operate in the dirty areas of the ice. Instead of trying to pay big bucks for a bigger name. Get the younger player who has a lot to give and is proving it. If they agree, it costs you some assets and a long-term deal but I would gladly do that.
