One of the most prominent storylines of this NHL offseason undoubtedly involves the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi. The talented player still has to finalize his contract situation soon, hoping to avoid a scenario similar to that experienced by a teammate of Auston Matthews with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As long as his situation remains unresolved, one possibility is that Rossi could skip training camp — something that, judging by recent precedents, could prove detrimental heading into the upcoming NHL season.
Sportsnet writer Michael Amato brought up a recent case similar to that of the Wild’s rising star. William Nylander, a teammate of Matthews in Toronto, skipped training camp in 2018 — and his performance declined noticeably afterward.
“Back in 2018, William Nylander didn’t settle his new deal until December and ended up having a nightmare campaign,” Amato wrote. “The worst statistical season of his career.”
William Nylander #88 and Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“If he does (miss training camp), Rossi could be trying to jump on a moving train,” Amato also added.
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NHL News: Marco Rossi’s contract dispute with Wild reportedly could intensify before training camp
Rossi’s current situation with the Wild
The Minnesota Wild are locked in a tense contract standoff with their rising star center, Marco Rossi, as the team’s training camp looms closer. As a restricted free agent, Rossi’s camp is reportedly seeking a long-term deal that would cement him as a core piece of the franchise, while the Wild’s front office, led by General Manager Bill Guerin, appears to prefer a short-term bridge contract.
Despite Rossi’s breakout 60-point season, which established him as a key offensive threat, the two sides remain far apart on a financial figure. The impasse has created a cloud of uncertainty, raising concerns among fans that the young forward could potentially hold out and miss the start of the season if an agreement isn’t reached soon.
Nylander’s rough experience
In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, missing training camp can have a tangible impact, and few examples are more telling than William Nylander’s 2018 holdout with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After his contract stalemate stretched into December, Nylander ultimately signed and joined the team, but the missed preparation was starkly reflected in his on-ice performance.
Following two consecutive 61-point seasons, his production plummeted, as he managed just 27 points in 54 games. The statistical drop-off from a 0.74 point-per-game pace to a mere 0.50 was a clear reminder that a full preseason is critical, and a player’s return to form after a long absence is rarely instantaneous.
