Aus dem Mailbag von Michael Russo und Joe Smith:
What are the chances Marco Rossi gets traded?
Higher than you’d think. If the Wild could trade Rossi for the same level of high-end prospect, but one who’s bigger and faster, there’s a real chance they’d pull the trigger.
For instance, the Wild were interested in Cutter Gauthier before Philadelphia traded his rights to Anaheim. That is the type of trade they might consider for Rossi.
It doesn’t have to be a center, either, because they envision Danila Yurov playing center once he makes it to the NHL, and we’re starting to sense that they foresee Yurov and Joel Eriksson Ek as their top two centers and aren’t convinced Rossi should be third- or (obviously) fourth-liner. Also, the Wild plan to give Riley Heidt every chance to make the team in the fall. But if they are to keep him in Minnesota rather than returning him to the WHL, they’re going to want him getting top-six and power-play minutes.
The Wild’s top six right now is Kirill Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy on one line, and Rossi and Mats Zuccarello likely with a free agent or trade acquisition on the other. Something has to give there if Heidt’s going to be inserted.
So it looks like Faber will get the bag. What does a Rossi extension look like? Bridge deal? Long-term contract?
It doesn’t seem likely the Wild would sign him long-term or even to an extension at this point. There’d be no incentive for Rossi to sign an extension if it’s not long-term. It’d make more sense for him to play out the final year of his entry-level contract and have a great season so he puts the Wild in decision-making mode in hopes of signing long-term next offseason.
The Wild, when they have to re-sign him, would likely prefer short-term or a bridge. Again, though, he could be trade bait, so that tells you the Wild aren’t about to sign him long-term.
