NHL Rumors: Marco Rossi's contract dispute casts doubt on future with Wild, keeping trade market in play

The Minnesota Wild‘s offseason remains unsettled as negotiations between the team and young forward Marco Rossi continue without resolution. Both sides remain divided over the financial terms of a new contract, with a wide gap between Rossi’s salary expectations and what the Wild are willing to offer.

At just 23 years old, Rossi is coming off a breakout 2024-25 season, tallying 24 goals and 60 points—an improvement of 20 points over the previous campaign. Drafted ninth overall in 2020, Rossi has steadily established himself as a top-six forward and a key part of Minnesota’s future plans.

General manager Bill Guerin stated on July 1: “We’d rather make a deal with Marco,” according to NHL.com. While Guerin didn’t explicitly call it the final task of the offseason, the urgency to resolve the contract before training camp is clear, especially as negotiations have stalled since early June.

How far apart are Marco Rossi and the Wild on contract value?

Reports indicate Rossi is targeting a long-term deal with an average annual value (AAV) between $6 million and $7 million. Analytics group AFP projects his market value at approximately $7.4 million annually on a seven-year contract. However, Minnesota’s cap situation appears to limit their offer closer to $5 million per year, creating a notable financial impasse.

Kaapo Kakko #84 of the Seattle Kraken back checks against Marco Rossi #23 of the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on March 04, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

A possible compromise could be a short-term bridge contract worth around $4.5 million annually for two years, allowing the Wild roster flexibility while retaining Rossi. As of now, neither party has signaled a willingness to move toward such a deal, prolonging the stalemate.

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Could a trade end the Rossi contract stalemate?

Trade speculation has intensified amid the contract deadlock. While some analysts floated the idea of an offer sheet from another club, NHL insider Frank Seravalli described that as “very unlikely at this point.” Still, Seravalli did not completely rule out a trade, leaving open the possibility if negotiations remain stalled.