Minnesota Wild Get Deal Done with Disgruntled Youngster

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Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild
Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

This offseason was a pivotal one for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, due to a number of different reasons. But really, it was the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter contract buyouts finally falling off the books that fans have been waiting years for.

Up until Friday, however, all had been quiet on the offseason front. Of course, the MN Wild have made some moves on the fringes, but outside of a flyer on the aging Vladimir Tarasenko, president of hockey operations Bill Guerin has opted for patience.

We’re still expecting a massive Kirill Kaprizov contract extension, at some point, but he isn’t in the country right now. So instead, the Wild turned to a 23-year-old Marco Rossi, who’s been disgruntled since being demoted to the 3rd line during the 2024-25 playoffs.

Marco Rossi staying with the Minnesota Wild

For much of his time in Minnesota, Marco Rossi has been on the trade block, even though Bill Guerin has always maintained publicly that he likes the 2020 No. 9 overall draft pick.

But at least for now, those trade rumors will die down. That’s because, after negotiations were jogged loose in the last week or two, Rossi and the Wild agreed to terms Friday on a three-year contract worth $5 million AAV ($15 million total).

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Last winter Rossi rejected a five-year, $25 million deal from the Wild. He was seeking a better average annual value, but that never came to fruition. In the end, the two sides were able to come together, but this was not an easy process… and it may not be fixed long-term.

For now, however, Rossi returns to the Wild as a top-6 center lock. Last season, he played in 82 games (for the second consecutive season) and scored 24 goals. The Austria had a career-high 60 points and finished plus-3. He could be anchoring a line with Matt Boldy and Vladimir Tarasenko flanking him.

This is a best-case scenario given the circumstances. Now the Wild need to turn their efforts towards Kaprizov and lock up the superstar for the long haul.

Kirill Kaprizov next for MN Wild

With Rossi’s contract done, general manager Bill Geurin must turn his full attention towards Kirill Kaprizov. He has been eligible to sign a deal since July 1, but we’re nearly two months past that.

Kaprizov is not currently in St. Paul, so that complicates things a bit. However, there’s no need to play around with a superstar when it comes to inking a deal. The Minnesota Wild have cap space to make him extremely rich, and they should do so for as long as logically possible.

After suffering an injury last season, Kaprizov played in just 41 games. The 28-year-old scored 25 goals and finished with 56 points and a plus-19 while on the ice. Durability has not been his best quality, but Kaprizov is a franchise cornerstone and someone to build around if this organization ever thinks it’s going to lift Lord Stanley.

Related: MN Wild Teasing Massive Contract News on Local Sidewalks…?

Neither Rossi or Kaprizov represent new talent, but the Wild figuring things out with both would be a better way to end what has been otherwise an uninspiring summer.

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