The Minnesota Wild's management is facing critical decisions regarding the future of star winger Kirill Kaprizov, but the future of center Marco Rossi is also a pressing concern. Rossi, who is concluding his entry-level contract, is seeking a notable raise following a career-best 60-point season, in which he finished second among the team’s scorers. Despite this impressive performance, the 23-year-old faced challenges during the latter part of the season, including time spent centering the fourth line. The postseason exit of the Wild has prompted analysts Michael Russo and Joe Smith from The Athletic to contemplate whether the team may choose to re-sign or trade Rossi as they navigate their roster dynamics.

Rossi's name has circulated in trade discussions multiple times this season, especially after general manager Bill Guerin asserted in December that he was not inclined to trade the young center. As the trade chatter evolved, Rossi appeared on Moneyline's Trade Targets list in April. Despite inconsistencies, his youth and offensive potential would make him an appealing target for competing teams, and he may also emerge as an offer-sheet candidate once the authorization period begins after July 1.

Teams like the Montreal Canadiens are actively seeking a second-line center, as reported by Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. The Canadiens might consider short-term solutions in free agency or long-term commitments through offer sheets to restricted free agents such as Anaheim Ducks' Mason McTavish. While the Canadiens' offseason plans may include established unrestricted free-agent centers, Rossi stands out as a more tangible option due to his fit within the young Canadiens' core, despite his size of 5'9” and 182 pounds. Montreal could potentially propose one of their two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) alongside young prospects like Owen Beck or Oliver Kapanen, or even forward Kirby Dach, should his fit within their long-term strategy become uncertain.

Following the New York Islanders' trade of Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche, in which they received promising center Calum Ritchie, the organization must address the second-line center vacancy. With the appointment of a new general manager imminent, Rossi may be a logical target. According to Stephen Rosner of The Hockey News, the Islanders may pursue both Rossi and Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi as offer-sheet possibilities. The cost for acquiring Vilardi could mirror Matt Coronato's recent seven-year, $6.5 million AAV deal with the Calgary Flames. If the offer sheet isn’t viable, the Islanders could explore trade offers, potentially utilizing one of their two first-round selections in 2026 alongside a prospect or veteran center Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Pittsburgh Penguins management does not embrace the term 'rebuild'; however, their actions suggest otherwise as they transition from aging stars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now views Rossi as a fitting addition for the Penguins, particularly with Malkin approaching the conclusion of his contract at the end of the 2025-26 season, likely creating a void at the second-line center position. Kingerski notes that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas typically favors acquiring restricted free agents through trades rather than offer sheets. However, signing Rossi to an offer sheet exceeding $5 million annually could cost the Penguins a first and a third-round pick as compensation. The acquisition cost for Rossi could involve trading the Rangers' 2026 first-round pick, which has draft-lottery protection, or moving a top-line winger such as Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell.

The Philadelphia Flyers are addressing their center depth after trading Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. If restricted free agent Noah Cates opts for a one-year deal to reach unrestricted free-agent eligibility next summer, securing additional center talent becomes imperative. Jonathan Bailey of The Hockey News suggests that Rossi could perfectly address this need, envisioning him as an effective linemate for burgeoning goal-scorer Matvei Michkov. The Flyers could explore the offer-sheet avenue for Rossi, albeit at the expense of their 2026 first-round pick, which holds potential lottery implications if their rebuild places them among the league's bottom 10 next season. Additionally, the Flyers possess several wingers and draft picks they could bundle in a trade proposal for Rossi, including Cates (a Minnesota native), Tyson Foerster, or Owen Tippett, as well as one of their three first-round picks from the current draft.

Amid a tumultuous season that included the trade of J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers on January 31, the Vancouver Canucks are seeking to fill the second-line center position behind first-liner Elias Pettersson. In a recent episode of the Sekeres and Price podcast, TSN analyst Frank Corrado identified Marco Rossi as a viable candidate to address this need. The Canucks are likely to be among the teams reaching out to the Wild regarding the 23-year-old center. Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre suggested that the Canucks could leverage their 2025 first-round pick (15th overall) to facilitate a trade for immediate roster assistance. While there is no mention of specific players to pursue, Rossi could emerge as a primary target. A successful bounce-back season is crucial for the Canucks, especially with team captain Quinn Hughes poised to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027; demonstrating a commitment to competing for the playoffs will be key in persuading him to sign an extension.