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Major Update for Top Penguins Offer Sheet Target Marco Rossi After Bold Comments From His Agent
Photo credit: Edit from Hockey Wilderness
Some good news may have just appeared in terms of the Penguins landing Marco Rossi, as his agent revealed they are still disagreeing on key issues in negotiations.
Agent Ian Pulver, who represents Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, confirmed that negotiations with the team on a contract were still ongoing, but admitted that there is actually a disagreement.
"There clearly is a difference of opinion with respect to Marco's value", Pulver said on Sunday, via The Athletic. "We will continue in good faith to engage the Wild to attempt to reach resolution."
While the negotiations have been civil, both sides disagree about Rossi's value and role.
"We understand that Billy likes Marco, but for how much? And in what role going forward? (That) is the subject of great debate," Pulver said. "Like the Wild, we believe we have advanced very fair and reasonable contract proposals. What the future holds for Marco and the Wild, only time will tell."
As of July 1, when Rossi becomes a restricted free agent, he is free to sign an offer sheet with another team. This is good news for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trade interest has also increased, with various teams calling about a potential trade.
Pulver emphasized that the key issue is how Minnesota views Rossi's long-term role and worth. The Wild offered Rossi two deals: a five-year, $25 million contract and a shorter bridge deal. Rossi's camp rejected both, seeking a higher salary on a long-term agreement.
Rossi had a solid year with 24 goals and 60 points, playing well both offensively and defensively wherever he was deployed.
All of that aside, though, he saw very little playoff ice time, only playing somewhat more than 11 minutes a game on the fourth line, adding further to his frustration.
"I was very disappointed," Rossi said on May 4, via The Athletic.
Wild GM Bill Guerin indicated that he still enjoys having Rossi and would prefer to retain him, pointing to the fact that the team offers evidence of that. But he did indicate that the Wild will be open to making deals if that is in the best interest of the roster.
"I think sometimes you just have disagreements on where a player is at, and that's fine," Guerin said on Monday, via The New York Times. "And sometimes it takes a little while longer to work through things. But out there, there's this belief that we don't like him or we're going to trade him."
Kyle Dubas must act on the likely availability of Rossi
Kyle Dubas will need to explore all possible avenues, whether it be a trade or an offer sheet.
Guerin denied reports of presenting specific trade requests, including asking the Flyers to send a trade of Tyson Foerster or a first-round draft pick, but guaranteed that interest in Rossi continues to build.
A number of other teams besides the Penguins looking for centers, such as the Canucks, Sabres, Hurricanes, Flames, and Canadiens, are reported to be monitoring the situation.
According to Guerin, no hurry is necessary in trading Rossi, but something is likely to happen soon before the NHL Draft.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 116 ANSWERS Major Update for Top Penguins Offer Sheet Target Marco Rossi After Bold Comments From His Agent Should the Penguins strongly consider an offer sheet for Marco Rossi? | ||
| Yes | 79 | 68.1 % |
| No | 37 | 31.9 % |
| List of polls | ||