Wild Assures Marco Rossi: Extends Contract for $15 Million

The Minnesota Wild have secured the continuity of center Marco Rossi with a three-year, $15 million contract, ending the uncertainty about his immediate future with the team. The agreement, signed on Friday, implies a $5 million impact on the salary cap. Rossi, 23 years old, finished his entry-level contract after being selected in the ninth position in 2020. Rossi reaches this agreement after his best season in the NHL, with 24 goals and 36 assists in 82 games. His 60 points represent a 20-point improvement over the 2023-24 season, where he finished sixth in the voting for the NHL Rookie of the Year. Last season, Rossi ranked second in points on the team, behind Matt Boldy (73), and third in goals, surpassed by Boldy (27) and Kirill Kaprizov (25). Despite this, his future in Minnesota raised doubts as he became a restricted free agent this summer.

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 worry about who’s playing with whom. You worry about winning games.

Bill Guerin, GM of Minnesota

During the past season, Rossi’s name was mentioned in trade rumors, as it was reported that the Wild were not entirely convinced to offer him a long-term contract with the salary Rossi was requesting. As a restricted free agent, Rossi didn’t have much leverage. Guerin stated that he would match any offer Rossi signed. Instead of extending negotiations into training camp, both sides agreed to a three-year bridge contract for the player.

He has shown consistent 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 platform to become the player he can be.

Bill Guerin, GM of Minnesota

Last season, the Wild finished in fourth place in the Central Division with 97 points, and were eliminated in six games by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The next challenge for Guerin, who is also the general manager of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team for 2026, is to try to extend the contract of Kaprizov, his 28-year-old star, who is in the final year of his contract with Minnesota.