Wild, Marco Rossi, still not close on contract talks

How much do the Minnesota Wild value Marco Rossi?

The 23-year-old is a restricted free agent and is due for a payday. After playing sparingly over his first two NHL campaigns, Rossi broke out in 2023-24 with a 21-goal, 40-point effort. He followed that up this most recent season with 24 goals and 60 points. He has also played in all 82 games in consecutive years.

However, despite his production and 200-foot commitment, this is not as obvious as some other RFA cases.

NHL Insider David Pagnotta, via the Sekeres & Price Show, believes there is a significant contract gap between the two parties. Pagnotta also mentioned that Rossi is seeking a deal similar to his teammate, Matt Boldy, who signed for seven years and $49 million.

Rossi is a fine young player, and he should maintain his 60-point output for the foreseeable future. But Boldy brings far more physicality and grit for the playoffs. Rossi’s 5-foot-9 stature has always forced him to out-craft and out-maneuver his opponents, but it could be part of the concern from the Wild about handing him a Boldy-like figure.

The more pressing matter for Minnesota is the expiring contract of Kirill Kaprizov. Kaprizov should earn somewhere in the $12.5 million-$14 million annual average value, whether that be an in-season extension or an offseason negotiation.

The Wild have already secured cornerstones Brock Faber, Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Boldy for the next several years. Rossi would be a nice keep, but assuring Kaprizov stays in Minnesota has to be at the forefront of their plans.