Wild GM: The team doesn’t want to trade the former No. 9 overall pick

The Wild received legitimate top-six production this year from 2020 ninth overall pick Marco Rossi, who Wild general manager Bill Guerin said took his name off the trade block after years of speculation, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic announced.

“I’m very happy with Marco – oh my God, yes,” Guerin said. “Just his pace of play, his commitment every night, he was one of our best players. I also think the biggest thing – and I know this is the hardest thing for young players – is his consistency… He does all the right things.”

Rossi has translated that consistency into a leadership role between superstar Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello for most of the season, which certainly helped his performance at first glance. But one could argue that the time he spent with Rossi also helped Kaprizov reach his best career pace. The Russian winger averages a career-high 1.47 points per game and leads the league with 20 even-strength goals while spending 22 of his 34 appearances on Rossi’s left wing. Rossi’s appearance also proved necessary given the absence of the second center Joel Eriksson suffered from a lower-body injury last month. Since Eriksson Ek’s last appearance on December 3rd, Rossi has scored five goals and three assists in ten games, logging well over 20 minutes per game.

This has made Rossi indispensable for a Wild club with ambitions of a successful playoff entry. Now fueled by the next generation, including Rossi and stalwart Brock Faber in the background, all signs point to them using other assets to improve at the trade deadline rather than trading away Rossi as part of an upgrade for a big fish. Given how well he performed with 28 goals and 66 points, it’s doubtful there will even be a veteran upgrade at center at the deadline. Minnesota native Brock Nelson, who has struggled offensively this season and only has 47 points, is considered the best available center on the block. Chris Johnston wrote for The Athletic earlier this month.

The question now for Guerin is how much financial resources he is willing to provide to Rossi, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The Wild have more than $13 million in free cap space this summer, with the impact of the acquisitions of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter diminished significantly despite at least a $4 million increase in the salary cap. That means they will have no problem accepting a hefty raise on a potential long-term deal in the summer, but it remains paramount after a multi-million dollar raise on Kaprizov’s current $9 million AAV contract. Dollar to watch out for, expiring in 2026.