The long situation of Marco Rossi with the Minnesota Wild has come to an end, as the forward signed a contract with the franchise despite interest from other NHL teams. His deal raises the comparison of how much he will earn annually in relation to another star like Mitch Marner, who made the move to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Rossi’s negotiation with the Wild did not prevent him from becoming a free agent, something that never happened with Marner, who completed a sign-and-trade with the Golden Knights to secure his exit from the Toronto Maple Leafs, a deal that included Nicolas Roy in the exchange.
Rossi’s contract extension with the Wild was for three years, and now Minnesota has secured a key forward for its league aspirations. This starting point for the young center could lead him to be compared with established stars like Marner.
How much does Marner earn compared to Rossi?
Marner’s contract, taken on by Vegas, is an eight-year, $96 million deal, meaning the forward will earn $12 million per year. This figure doubles what Rossi will make with the Wild, who signed a $15 million deal over three years, averaging $5 million annually.
Numbers matched with on-ice production
Rossi reached this deal with Minnesota after a strong season in which he tallied 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 82 games played. Marner, on the other hand, nearly doubled that production by contributing 102 points, ranking as the fifth-highest scorer in the league.
It’s worth noting that Marner’s deal places him among the top five highest-paid players in the NHL for the 2025-26 season. As for Rossi, his contract is a bridge deal following a productive season in Minnesota.