The Minnesota Wild have secured the continuity of talented center Marco Rossi, after reaching an agreement for a three-year, $15 million contract. This agreement puts an end to speculation about the player’s future with the team. The contract establishes a $5 million impact on the salary cap. Rossi, 23 years old, was finishing his entry-level contract, after being selected ninth overall in the 2020 draft by the Wild. Rossi reaches this agreement after his best season in the NHL, where he scored 24 goals and provided 36 assists in 82 games. His 60 total points represented a 20-point improvement over the 2023-24 season, where Rossi finished sixth in the voting for the NHL Rookie of the Year. Last season, Rossi ranked second in team points, behind Matt Boldy (73), and third in goals, surpassed by Boldy (27) and Kirill Kaprizov (25). The situation of the young center in Minnesota generated uncertainty upon reaching restricted free agency this summer.
Rossi’s name was mentioned in trade rumors during last season’s deadline and in the offseason, as the Wild were not convinced to make a long-term commitment to him for the salary Rossi was asking for. Rossi didn’t have much leverage as a restricted free agent. Guerin stated that he would match any offer Rossi signed. Although extending negotiations until training camp was a possibility, both sides agreed to a three-year bridge contract for the free agent.His production decreased at the end of last season, but he was still a good player. When you’re in a playoff series, you’re constantly adjusting and you don’t really worry about who’s playing with whom. You worry about winning games.
Bill Guerin, GM of Minnesota
The Wild finished fourth in the Central Division last season with 97 points, losing in six games against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The next challenge for Guerin, who is also the GM of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team for 2026, is to try to extend the contract of Kaprizov, his 28-year-old star, who is entering the final year of his contract in Minnesota.He has shown steady progress. He went through a lot as a young player. He’s just beginning to show his potential, and I think this three-year contract gives him a good path to become the player he can be.
Bill Guerin, GM of Minnesota
