The Vancouver Canucks have just completed a trade for Evander Kane, but they aren’t closing the shop in the NHL just yet. In hopes of adding another star teammate for Elias Pettersson and the team, the Canucks suffered a setback in their pursuit. According to reports, the Minnesota Wild declined the initial offer for Marco Rossi.
Rossi and the Wild are set to move in different directions, as the former first-round selection is set to become a restricted free agent (RFA). As extension talks stalled in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the organization is exploring the market for their 23-year-old talent.
The Canucks, eager to inject new talent into Vancouver, quickly emerged as a frontrunner for the young centerman. Still, the Wild aren’t desperate enough to accept breadcrumbs in exchange for their star. Vancouver offered a bit more than that, yet it wasn’t enough for Minnesota to send the call in to the NHL headquarters in Toronto.
Trade declined
“The rumour the Canucks offered the 15th pick and a player for Marco Rossi is true. It’s going to take more,” Frank Seravalli said during an appearance on Sportsnet 650 Vancouver.
Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck during NHL hockey action against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena on February 19, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada.
While it’s unclear who the Canucks offered along with the first-round pick in the upcoming draft, it seemingly wasn’t enough for the Wild to move on from the former 9th overall pick in the 2020 NHL entry Draft. Minnesota is at a bit of a pickle, but they aren’t in desperation mode, yet. Pettersson and the Canucks, though, that’s a whole different story.
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Keep calm
If the Wild can’t find a fitting offer for Rossi, they could roll the dice with their RFA. Worst case, they walk away with a compensation pick—not ideal, but hardly catastrophic.
Minnesota is well aware of the weak market for centermen in the NHL offseason. Rossi is one of the best available—or soon to be— players in his position and the Wild are looking to be paid for him as such.
