The Minnesota Wild management faces a significant decision regarding the future of star winger Kirill Kaprizov, which is underscored by the necessity to assess the role of center Marco Rossi in their long-term plans. Rossi is currently completing his entry-level contract and does not possess arbitration rights. The 23-year-old had a breakout season, achieving a career-best 60 points, thereby ranking second among the team's scorers. As he approaches his next contract negotiation, Rossi is expected to seek a substantial raise. Nevertheless, his performance down the stretch raised concerns, as he spent some time centering the Wild's fourth line, leading to speculation about whether the team will re-sign or trade the young center following their playoff elimination.

According to Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic, Rossi's name has appeared in trade discussions previously this season, notably until December when Wild general manager Bill Guerin publicly dismissed the idea of dealing the young player. Rossi was also included in a list of potential trade targets as of April 2025. Despite his recent inconsistency, his youth and offensive prowess render him an attractive option for rival teams. Furthermore, he could become a candidate for an offer sheet post-July 1. As discussions around his future unfold, multiple potential destinations are being evaluated, taking into account what it might cost each interested club to secure his services.

The Montreal Canadiens have identified a second-line center as a key priority as they navigate through the offseason. With options to either pursue a temporary solution in the free-agent market or to make a more sustainable move by tendering an offer sheet to a restricted free agent such as Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal is weighing its alternatives. The availability of top unrestricted free agent centers — including Brock Nelson, Matt Duchene, Sam Bennett, and John Tavares — also forces consideration for retaining them with their current teams versus joining a playoff contender. In this context, Rossi emerges as a potentially more viable option. Although he does not possess the desired physical stature at 5'9” and 182 pounds, his skill set and youth could integrate well into the Canadiens' burgeoning core. Furthermore, he might be more amenable to an offer sheet than other potential targets.

The Canadiens could propose one of their two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) in this year’s draft, potentially coupled with a prospect center like Owen Beck or Oliver Kapanen, or forward Kirby Dach, should they determine he no longer fits into their long-term strategy. In addition, the New York Islanders find themselves in a position where they will need to replace Brock Nelson at the second-line center position following a trade to the Colorado Avalanche. Notable for acquiring promising center Calum Ritchie in that deal, his immediate readiness to fill the gap is in question. Therefore, Rossi could be considered among the offseason targets for the Islanders, especially once they appoint a new general manager. Suggestions from Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News highlighted Rossi and the Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi as possible offer-sheet targets. Notably, the anticipated cost of acquiring Vilardi could match a contract similar to Matt Coronato's seven-year, $6.5 million AAV deal with the Calgary Flames, which raises the stakes for any potential negotiations.

Moreover, if Rossi bypasses an offer sheet, the Islanders may initiate trade discussions, proposing one of their two first-round selections in 2026 as part of a package alongside a prospect or a veteran center like Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who is signed for another year. In Pittsburgh, reports from The Athletic indicate that Penguins management refrains from using the term “rebuild,” yet many analysts agree that a significant transition is underway as the franchise prepares for life after aging stars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Analysts like Dan Kingerski from Pittsburgh Hockey Now view Marco Rossi as a potentially strong addition for the Penguins. He notes that Malkin's impending retirement at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season could leave a sizable vacancy at the second-line center position. While Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has a preference for trading for pending restricted free agents, acquiring Rossi through an offer sheet exceeding $5 million annually would incur a first and third-round pick as compensation.

This potential acquisition poses significant costs for the Penguins, with projections suggesting that they may need to part with a valuable asset, such as the Rangers' first-round selection in 2026 (with draft-lottery protection) or a top-line winger like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell. In Philadelphia, the Flyers are in search of depth at center following the trade of Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs, further highlighting a pressing need should restricted free agent Noah Cates opt for a short-term contract leading into unrestricted free-agent eligibility next summer. Marco Rossi potentially fits the bill for the rebuilding Flyers, as noted by Jonathan Bailey of The Hockey News who believes he would pair effectively with young goal-scorer Matvei Michkov. The offer-sheet route remains a possibility for the Flyers, but this approach would require sacrificing their 2026 first-round pick, which could carry significant value should they finish among the bottom ten teams in the upcoming season.

Additionally, Bailey points out that the Flyers possess a variety of wingers and draft picks that could be assembled into a trade offer for Rossi. Players such as Cates (a Minnesota native), Tyson Foerster, or Owen Tippett are mentioned as viable candidates for a potential trade. Alternatively, they could leverage one of their three first-round picks in this year's draft. Lastly, the Vancouver Canucks are emerging from a tumultuous season following the trade of J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers, which created a vacancy at the second-line center role behind Elias Pettersson. On a recent episode of the Sekeres and Price podcast, TSN analyst Frank Corrado proposed that Marco Rossi could serve as a potential remedy for this dilemma. Speculation suggests that the Canucks might rank among the leading clubs reaching out to the Wild about the 23-year-old center, with Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre noting that their 2025 first-round pick (15th overall) could be employed as leverage to secure immediate assistance for their roster. In conclusion, the Canucks aim to rebound next season, further solidifying their chances of contention to provide reassurance to team captain Quinn Hughes, who will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.