We haven’t heard a peep from Jack Eichel (0 goals, 1 assist, 11 shots) yet. Meanwhile, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy have combined for 8 goals and 6 assists. The only players on roster who have produced at nearly the same rate as those two bona fide Wild stars has been Marco Rossi.

Minnesota Wild refuse to believe in Marco Rossi

The 23-year-old former top 10 pick has a MUCH different role than Kaprizov and Boldy, however. Rossi’s two goals are fourth-most for Minnesota this postseason, behind only Kaprizov (4), Boldy (4) and Foligno (3). His three points are tied for fourth most and he has a +2 +/-.

But while Kaprizov and Boldy are averaging over 22 and 24 minutes of TOI through the first four games, respectively, Marco Rossi is buried on the Minnesota Wild’s fourth line, averaging less than half of those guys’ ice time (10:53 TOI).

After Saturday’s OT loss at home, a lot of fans were hoping to see Rossi’s role expanded for game five. Unfortunately, when practice started on Monday morning, there was Marco Rossi, centering the 4th line between Yakov Trenin and Justin Brazeau.

#mnwild lines w Eriksson Ek not skating*

Kaprizov-Shore*-Boldy
Johansson-Hartman-Zuccarello
Foligno-Gaudreau-Nyquist
Trenin-Rossi-Brazeau

Brodin-Faber
Middleton-Spurgeon
Merrill-Bogosian

Extras

Buium-Chisholm
Ohgren, Hinostroza, likely Shore if he’s a placeholder for Ek

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 28, 2025

It’s not like Marco Rossi’s point production during these playoffs is a surprise. He and Matt Boldy single-handedly kept the Minnesota Wild afloat this season, as the rest of the roster crumbled from injury, around them. Rossi finished the 2024-25 regular season 3rd on the team in goals (24) and 2nd in both assists (36) and points (60).

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Wild in Dominant Game Three Win Over Vegas

Yet, for whatever reason, John Hynes and Bill Guerin refuse to give Marco Rossi his chance at stardom, or anywhere near the type of respect they show their top (or even) mid-line skaters. And as of now, that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.

Minnesota Wild injury updates prior to game 5

Marco Rossi’s status on the fourth line wasn’t the only notable takeaway from Monday’s lines at practice. Joel Eriksson Ek didn’t skate, after he blocked a shot late in game four.

Fortunately, Hynes informed gathered media members after practice Monday that Ekker’s absence was nothing more than a rest (or maintenance) day. The Minnesota Wild expect their top-line centerman, and the heart/soul of their team, to take his usual place in the middle of the first line on Tuesday night, in Vegas.

More good news: Marcus Johansson skated on Monday and could return to the MN Wild lineup in game five, as well. Johansson served as the left wing on Minnesota’s second line this morning at practice. Johansson missed game four due to a lower body injury he suffered in the third period of game three.

Marcus Johansson practicing today for #mnwild. Missed Game 4 with an LBI

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 28, 2025

Zeev Buium on the shelf in Vegas?

Marco Rossi might not be the only Minnesota Wild youngster who could continue to see a reduced role, as the playoffs role forward. After being benched for the entire overtime in game four, the No. 2 overall prospect in all of hockey, Zeev Buium, was not skating on any of the Wild’s three defensive pairings Monday morning.

After playing in all four of Minnesota’s 2025 playoff games so far, it appears Buium is likely to be replaced by Jon Merrill in game five. Merrill has yet to be active during this postseason. Zeev Buium is a -1 so far in the 2025 NHL Playoffs, with one assist and an average of 12:36 TOI.

Hynes said he hasn’t made any final decisions on d-pairings but it is being considered to give Zeev a breather #mnwild

— Jessi Pierce (@jessi_pierce) April 28, 2025

Liam Ohgren travelling with MN Wild

Finally, let’s end on a positive note. Also on Monday, the Minnesota Wild called up top prospect Liam Ohgren from their “Black Aces” playoff practice squad, and will travel with the team to Vegas for game 5. For now, he isn’t expected to be active, but he is just one injury away from finding the postseason ice in this series.

Looks like Merrill makes his series debut tomorrow for Buium. Eriksson Ek maintenance. Ohgren traveling to Vegas

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 28, 2025

Remember when the Minnesota Wild last looked like a contender?

Honestly, this team hasn’t brought me real comfort since Jan. 4 vs the Carolina Hurricanes, whom they happen to host Friday night. I happened to be in Raleigh a month ago to witness the Wild dominate a Canes team that, at the time, had the highest shooting volume of any team in the league.

The Minnesota Wild sucked the life right out of the Canes that night with damn good defense and possession hockey. They won 4-0 despite Kirill “The Thrill”, Captain Spurgeon and Jake Middleton all being out.

🤩 ROSSI SCHREIBT GESCHICHTE 🤩

Marco Rossi bereitet beim 4:0 seiner Minnesota Wild gegen die Carolina Hurricanes alle Treffer seines Teams vor – als erstem Österreicher gelingen ihm vier Assists in einem Spiel! 🥰#mnwild | @mnwild | @marcorossi2383 | #Rossi pic.twitter.com/4UjIJvkgES

— NHL Deutsch (@NHLde) January 5, 2025

Minnesota allowed just 21 shots despite losing more than 60 percent of the faceoffs and committing five penalties. I attended the game that night with my cousin, a Canes fan. I tried to soothe his pain by alerting him, “hey, you won another faceoff” over and over. It likely had the opposite effect.

Even when the Hurricanes had it they couldn’t get it on goal. They had 20 shots. The Minnesota Wild blocked 17 shots and played their high-quality chances perfectly. Mats Zuccarello told Rossi to “stop taking all the glory” and pass the puck. He had four assists. He was a goddamn genius with the puck on a string.

Jon Merrill not happy with Wild head coach John Hynes

Tonight, Rossi is back on the MN Wild top line with the hope it sparks some offense to comfort coach John Hynes. But that’s not the only move he made at skate-around today. John Hynes scratched Jon Merrill, and Merrill didn’t take it very well.

In fact, he was pissed. Good. He should be pissed. I want a guy willing to rip into his coach when he’s benched. But I’d prefer I guy I don’t have to bench. “This is the most I’ve ever seen a player state his case,” Michael Russo (The Athletic) said of Merrill’s tantrum.

Paul Allen (KFAN) was there to provide play-by-play, but his color commentary was actually better and more on-point. Jon Merrill hasn’t built up enough stock to be going at his head coach like this.

Russo: “Oh, This is interesting. [John] Hynes and [Jon] Merrill are having a pretty animated conversation here.”

PA: “We have Hynes and Merrill off to the side. Everybody else is going through the morning state.”

Russo: “Yeah, you can tell Merrill is not happy.”

PA: “Merrill and John Hines are by the between the red line and the blue line and having an animated conversation about something and Heinzy just spoke up a little bit. Now Merrill’s like stating his case about something. Yeah, take us through what’s happening right now, Russo?”

Russo: “Well, as I I tweeted about five minutes ago, Meryl’s not playing tonight, just watching the defense pairings…Merril is clearly not happy. This is the most I’ve ever seen a player at state his case.”

PA: “You see Hynes tap his chest, like ‘that’s my call, that’s my call’. Whoa, this is unbelievable.”

Russo: “Yeah, he’s ticked. This is crazy.”

PA: “In that spot, with Brods [Brodin] having just returned, this, for Jon Merrill, with all due respect, it might need to be ‘yes, Hynsey. Yes, Heinsey. Three bags full. Yes, Heinsey.”

KFAN Radio – iHeartMedia

Merrill needs to just take his medicine there and bring the energy whenever he’s next on the ice, “which could be March,” Allen added. Thankfully, the Minnesota Wild play just six games this month. They probably only need to win two of them to avoid being sellers at the deadline, but I’d be taking offers on Merrill anyway. He’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Problem is nobody likely wants him.

The real reason why Jon Merrill should be pissed…

Jon Merrill’s cumulative game score this season is 0.47. That’s worst amongst Minnesota Wild defenseman, and it’s been on the decline from 2.025 on Dec. 15. That was the last time he had a primary assist. Declan Chisholm has simply been better. He and Jake Middleton lead Wild defenseman with five primary assists. The Wild need to score. They haven’t scored this month.

Related: Minnesota Wild Claim Ryan Hartman’s Buddy Off Waivers

The Minnesota Wild are falling apart physically. The last thing they need is to show everyone how much they’re falling apart mentally. Carolina’s gonna come into Xcel Energy Center looking for retribution. They’ve all probably rewatched that piss poor performance they put on in Raleigh. Let’s see what you’re made of, Minnesota Wild. Oh wait, you’re already showing us.

Oh, speaking of the 2022 draft, it takes place tonight. Like I said, there’s a lot happening. But freshest off the press, is an update on Jordan Greenway and Jon Merrill, who both underwent offseason “upper-body” surgery.

According to Michael Russo (The Athletic), Wild general manager, Bill Guerin, isn’t sure if either player will be available for the start of next season.

Guerin has confirmed both players could miss the start of the season https://t.co/lIVCWY0boz

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 7, 2022

Remember, the Minnesota Wild are short on money and short on depth. One also has to wonder if the Merrill injury could affect any ideas Guerin has to trade Matt Dumba. This could give Calen Addison a shot to start in St. Paul next season, too.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan