The Minnesota Wild’s early playoff exit at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights has left the franchise facing a critical offseason. Despite holding a 2-1 series lead and playing Game 4 at home, the Wild suffered back-to-back overtime losses before being eliminated in six games on May 1.
Injuries plagued the Wild throughout the season — especially to stars Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek — but one consistent presence was Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old forward played all 82 games for the second year in a row, improving on his 2023-24 totals with 24 goals and 60 points. He added another two goals and three points in six playoff games, even as his role was reduced to the fourth line at times.
Rossi, a pending restricted free agent, has just completed his entry-level contract and is due for a raise. However, with GM Bill Guerin reportedly prioritizing a massive extension for Kaprizov, Rossi’s future in Minnesota is uncertain. Trade rumors have swirled for months, and a sign-and-trade scenario is very much on the table.
If the Wild decide to move on from their 2020 ninth-overall pick, here are four ideal landing spots where Rossi could thrive as a top-six center:
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are in the market for a second-line center, especially after Kirby Dach’s struggles with injuries and inconsistency. With Nick Suzuki anchoring the top line and young talent like Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky around him, Marco Rossi could slot in perfectly as the 2C alongside Patrik Laine and incoming rookie Ivan Demidov.
At just 23, Rossi fits the timeline of Montreal’s rebuild and could be acquired for a reasonable package — perhaps a 2025 first-round pick and a prospect like Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen, or even Dach himself. It’s a deal that would benefit both sides, and GM Kent Hughes should definitely explore the opportunity.
LPittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are aging and in desperate need of fresh legs. Evgeni Malkin is entering the final year of his contract and likely won’t return in 2026. Enter Marco Rossi — a young, skilled center who could immediately slot into the middle-six and eventually help lead the next era of Penguins hockey.
With Sidney Crosby also nearing the twilight of his career, Pittsburgh must start building for the future, and acquiring Rossi would be a step in the right direction.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken need offensive help, particularly down the middle. While Matty Beniers remains a promising cornerstone, Seattle’s depth at center is thin. Rossi could fill that gap and bring a playmaking spark to a team still trying to find its offensive identity.
Seattle also has the cap space and assets to make a deal work. With their young core in place and coaching stability under Dan Bylsma, Rossi could thrive in a fresh environment.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are looking to fast-track their rebuild and recently added veterans like Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson on the blue line. Now they need help at center, especially with uncertainty surrounding Adam Fantilli’s immediate impact.
Rossi could grow alongside other young forwards like Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger. Columbus has draft capital and prospects to offer, and bringing in a player like Rossi could help accelerate their return to playoff contention.
Marco Rossi showed real progress in 2024-25, and with the right opportunity, he could take another leap forward. If Minnesota opts not to extend him, several teams will be ready to make their pitch — and they’d be wise to do so before his price tag climbs any higher.
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