The Minnesota Wild's management faces critical decisions regarding the future of center Marco Rossi as he nears the completion of his entry-level contract. At just 23 years old, Rossi notched a career-high 60 points this past season, making him the second-leading scorer for the Wild. However, he will be seeking a significant increase in salary on his next deal, especially given his stature as a promising young talent. Despite this, questions remain about his role within the team's long-term plans, particularly after he struggled towards the end of the season and found himself positioned on the fourth line during the playoffs.

After the Wild's playoff exit, analysts including Michael Russo and Joe Smith from The Athletic speculated on the potential outcomes for Rossi, considering possibilities for either re-signing or trading the young center. Rossi's name has previously been linked to trade discussions earlier in the season, with Wild General Manager Bill Guerin maintaining that he was not interested in trading the player. Moreover, as speculation continues, Rossi remains a name on several teams' radars, making him a potential offer-sheet candidate after July 1. This article examines possible destinations for Rossi and what it might cost those teams to acquire him.

One potential landing spot for Rossi is the Montreal Canadiens, who are actively seeking a second-line center to bolster their roster. Reports from Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette suggest that while the Canadiens may explore short-term solutions through free agency, they could also consider a long-term option by extending an offer sheet to a restricted free agent such as Rossi. Though his size at 5'9”, 182 pounds might not align with the typical profile they prefer, his offensive capabilities could significantly benefit the Canadiens' young core. Should an offer sheet not materialize, Montreal might pivot to a trade, potentially leveraging one of their two first-round picks in the upcoming draft along with prospects like Owen Beck or Kirby Dach, depending on their strategic direction.

In a related scenario, the New York Islanders are also in the market for a second-line center after trading Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche, which has left them needing an immediate solution. Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News highlighted Rossi as a target for the Islanders, along with Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi. The anticipated cost for acquiring Vilardi may serve as a guide for what the Islanders might expect to part with for Rossi, potentially involving one of their two first-round picks in 2026, along with a prospect or veteran center Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in transition as they move away from their aging stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Analyst Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now argues that Marco Rossi could fit well into the Penguins' future plans, particularly with Malkin expected to retire at the end of the 2025-26 season. Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas has expressed a preference for acquiring restricted free agents through trade rather than the offer sheet route, though the cost to sign Rossi to an offer sheet could prove significant for Pittsburgh. Kingerski projects it might require the Penguins' 2026 first-round pick, combined with other assets such as one of their established wingers.

The Philadelphia Flyers are another team that may show interest in Rossi, particularly as they require depth at center following the departure of Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bailey of The Hockey News identifies Rossi as a strong option to fill this need, proposing that he could thrive as a linemate alongside potential goal-scoring winger Matvei Michkov. An offer sheet for Rossi would likely involve giving up the Flyers' 2026 first-round pick, which holds considerable value if the team performs poorly. Alternatively, Philadelphia has an abundance of wingers and draft picks, making a trade proposal feasible, possibly involving Noah Cates, Tyson Foerster, or even one of their three first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks, having experienced a turbulent season marked by the departure of J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers, are in search of a dependable second-line center to support Elias Pettersson. TSN analyst Frank Corrado, during the May 8 episode of the Sekeres and Price podcast, suggested that Rossi could be an appealing option to fulfill this role. With the Canucks in rebuilding mode and seeking immediate help, using their 2025 first-round pick could serve as a bargaining chip in potential trade discussions, positioning Rossi as a strategic target for the team.