The Minnesota Wild and restricted free agent center Marco Rossi have agreed to a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $5 million, finalized on Friday.
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Rossi’s deal includes a salary of $4 million in the first year, $5 million in the second, and $6 million in the final season of the bridge contract. This new agreement comes after Rossi’s breakout season, changes in his ice time, months of negotiation, and trade speculation.
Rossi made significant strides last season, playing all 82 games and tallying 24 goals and 36 assists for 60 points—second only to left winger Matt Boldy’s 73 points on the team. He spent much of the year on the top line alongside Mats Zuccarello on the right wing and either Kirill Kaprizov or Boldy on the left, averaging 18:15 of ice time per game.
However, his role shifted during the playoffs, where his ice time dropped to an average of 11:08 in Minnesota’s six-game first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Rossi contributed two goals, one assist, and six penalty minutes in that series.
Negotiations between Rossi and the Wild were reportedly limited over the offseason. Russo noted in late July that there had been no communication since June. Rossi’s agent, Ian Pulver, acknowledged a difference in opinion regarding Rossi’s value and role moving forward.
“There clearly is a difference of opinion with respect to Marco’s value,” Pulver said. “We will continue in good faith to engage the Wild to attempt to reach resolution. We understand that (Wild GM Bill Guerin) likes Marco, but for how much? And in what role going forward? That is the subject of great debate.”
Adding to the uncertainty, The Athletic revealed that the Wild received a trade offer from the Vancouver Canucks for Rossi, involving the 15th overall pick in the upcoming 2025 draft. The Canucks used that pick to select Braeden Cootes.
Wild GM Bill Guerin emphasized in late June that the team is focused on winning now, and Rossi remains a key part of that plan.
“Marco is a really good player,” Guerin told Fox 9 Sports on June 22. “He’s coming off a great year. He’s young. He’s a center. There is a lot of value to what he brings.”
With Rossi’s new contract in place, speculation and trade rumors can be put to rest for the time being. He becomes the fourth-highest-paid forward on the Wild, just behind center Joel Eriksson Ek, who earns $5.25 million annually.
The 23-year-old signed his deal just one day after fellow young center Frank Nazar agreed to a seven-year contract averaging $6.59 million per year. Though Rossi is slightly older, both players are emerging talents coming off their entry-level contracts.
