Marco Rossi showed an outstanding level of play during the 2024–25 NHL season with the Minnesota Wild, tallying 24 goals and 60 points while averaging 18:15 minutes per game. However, with his contract now expired, speculation about his future with the franchise is heating up.
Since the end of last season, tensions have noticeably risen. Other teams have begun to show interest in Rossi, but the most intense negotiations are still taking place between Minnesota and the 23-year-old center, who is looking to take a big step forward in his career.
The Wild didn’t sit idly by at first, as the franchise reportedly offered Rossi a five-year, $25 million extension (with a $5M AAV), which he declined. Now, things have gone quiet and no good news seems to be on the horizon.
What’s going on between Rossi and Minnesota?
Renowned NHL insider Michael Russo made a revealing statement on the July 21 episode of the DFO Rundown podcast, saying that contract talks between the Wild and Marco Rossi are currently in “total shutdown mode.”
According to Russo, the two sides haven’t spoken in three or four weeks, and both Rossi’s camp and the franchise appear to be playing a game of chicken—waiting to see if an offer sheet from another team will force Minnesota to react.
Rossi’s position is at odds with Minnesota’s
The difference is clear: while Rossi and his agent are pushing for a long-term, higher-paying deal, the team is reportedly looking for a shorter “bridge deal” and is hesitant to offer a higher average annual value (AAV) than Matt Boldy’s $7 million salary.