Pittsburgh Penguins Among Several Teams Pursuing Former First-Round Pick

Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi is emerging as a topic of NHL trade discussion.

The 23-year-old restricted free agent, whose current three-year, $2.59 million contract carries an end date of July 1, will be the target of an offer sheet if not traded or signed prior to that.

In the 2023-24 season, Rossi recorded 40 points (21 goals, 19 assists) and improved his numbers the next season with 24 goals and 36 assists in 82 regular-season games and one goal and three assists in six playoff games. His performance has become a target of interest to many NHL teams.

At this year's NHL Entry Draft, although the decentralized format keeps team GMs and hockey operations staff from gathering in person, all NHL hockey operations members will be gathering at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo on June 7.

This gathering is expected to initiate feverish trade chatter. Rossi, a ninth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, had his name thrown around quite often.

Negotiations with a variety of NHL sources indicate that teams such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, and Seattle Kraken would be interested in acquiring him.

With his recent standout performances, Rossi is likely to pursue a new contract with an annual value of at least $3 million. After Minnesota's playoff exit at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, Rossi voiced uncertainty about his future with the Wild.

Wild GM Bill Guerin will undoubtedly address Rossi's situation promptly.