Marco Rossi's 2024-25 season with the Minnesota Wild was a year of significant progress and some uncertainty. The young center, drafted ninth overall in 2020, set career highs in goals (24), assists (36), and points (60) while appearing in all 82 regular-season games. Despite this success, Rossi's role shifted as the season progressed, leading to questions about his future with the team.
Rossi began the season centering a top line with Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. However, as injuries forced the Wild to shuffle their lineup, Rossi eventually found himself on the fourth line by the time the playoffs started. While he expressed disappointment with the demotion, he acknowledged the need to respect the coach's decisions. In the playoffs, Rossi managed to score twice in Games 3 and 4, marking his first Stanley Cup playoff goals.
Statistically, Rossi had a solid season, tallying 60 points with a plus-3 rating and 26 penalty minutes. He also recorded 136 shots on goal. Advanced stats reveal a DFF% (Defensive Faceoff Win Percentage) of 53.30% and a CF% (Corsi For Percentage) of 50.10%. His Relative DFF% was 5.70%, and his Relative CF% was 3.30%.
Despite the strong regular season, Rossi's future with the Wild is uncertain as he is now a restricted free agent. Negotiations for a new contract may prove challenging, with reports suggesting a potential gap between what Rossi is seeking and what the Wild are willing to offer. Some speculate that Rossi could be looking for a contract in the range of $7 million per year.
The Wild may consider trading Rossi if they cannot reach an agreement on a new contract. His age and potential make him an attractive asset for other teams. However, some concerns exist regarding his size (5-foot-9 and 182 pounds) and whether he can be a top-line center.
Several factors contribute to the uncertainty surrounding Rossi's future. While he demonstrated play-driving ability, his performance was also influenced by linemates like Kaprizov. Some analysts suggest that Rossi consistently makes his linemates better. Others believe that the Wild may need to build center depth and could consider offers for Rossi to acquire additional assets.
Overall, Marco Rossi's 2024-25 season was a step forward in his development. He showcased his offensive capabilities and played a full season. However, contract negotiations and questions about his long-term role with the Wild have created uncertainty. Whether he remains in Minnesota or finds a new home, Rossi has the potential to become a valuable top-six forward in the NHL.
