Amid rumblings of continued trade interest out of Vancouver and Seattle, a credible source has indicated that the Minnesota Wild appear close to agreement on a short-term deal for restricted free agent Marco Rossi.
In a post Thursday morning to X (formerly Twitter), Michael Russo, Wild beat writer for The Athletic, reported that, “there has been significant progress toward a potential Marco Rossi signing by the #mnwild in the coming days.” Russo has long maintained that a bridge deal “makes the most sense” for both sides, and in the comments of his post, he floated the likely structure: a two- or three-year contract at roughly $5 million per season.
For a player who only a few weeks ago looked as if he might be skating his way out of Minnesota, that would mark a significant shift in tone. It would also bring an end, at least temporarily, to what has not been the smoothest negotiation.
Report Suggests RFA Marco Rossi Close to Signing Bridge Deal With Minnesota
Rossi didn’t just arrive last year — he leveled up. After a 21-goal, 40-point rookie run in 2023–24, he pushed to 24 goals and 60 points across 82 games in 2024–25, averaging 18:15 of ice time per night. That’s the step Minnesota needed to see before talking term — proof that the tools translate to top-six impact when the games start to matter.
It was the breakout year that should have set up a long-term marriage in Minnesota. Instead, talks between his camp and GM Bill Guerin stalled almost immediately in June, with the two sides reportedly far apart on both term and dollars.
That gap created oxygen for trade chatter to spread, and spread it did.
The Vancouver Canucks and the Seattle Kraken, two teams desperate for center depth, were quickly tied to exploratory conversations with the Wild. A recent report from RG Hockey noted that both clubs circled back multiple times as negotiations dragged on. Further speculation suggested Minnesota might be open to dealing Rossi outright rather than risk a prolonged impasse.
Through it all, Guerin held firm. The Wild front office was adamant that Rossi’s strong season was a step forward, not a finished product. He had shown flashes of being a play-driving center, but they wanted to see him do it again before committing big money and term.
The standoff wasn’t just about Rossi’s play — it was also about Minnesota’s salary cap realities. With Kirill Kaprizov due for a massive extension in 2026 and a roster that still needs more scoring punch, the Wild couldn’t afford to overextend themselves on a contract that might outpace Rossi’s true ceiling.
That’s why the bridge deal always made sense. It gives Rossi security and a chance to cash in down the line, while giving Guerin flexibility and an opportunity to evaluate whether Rossi can be a long-term top-line center solution. As Hockey Wilderness put it this week, “Guerin looks like he’s going to pick up a win in the Marco Rossi negotiation.”
Short-Term Agreement Gives Wild Chance to Assess Marco Rossi’s Top-Line Status
Of course, today’s progress doesn’t make the trade chatter disappear. The Canucks and Kraken are still sniffing around, according to RG Hockey, and both clubs have the assets to make an offer if Minnesota’s talks stall again.
Seattle’s interest is especially logical. The Kraken are still struggling to find an identity down the middle beyond Matty Beniers, and Rossi’s age and skillset fit Ron Francis’s patient build. Vancouver, meanwhile, continues to look for cost-controlled options behind Elias Pettersson. Rossi at $5 million would represent a bargain if he builds on last season’s production.
That lingering interest keeps some leverage in Rossi’s corner. If the Wild try to push too hard on term or dollars, other clubs are ready to step in.
But for now, it looks as though Guerin and Rossi are finally finding common ground. A two- or three-year bridge in the $5 million AAV range gives the Wild a center still building on his promise, while Rossi gets a chance to prove he belongs as part of the core.
Meanwhile, both sides avoid the awkwardness of a stalemate dragging into training camp.
The irony is that this summer began with whispers that Marco Rossi’s days in Minnesota might be numbered. If the current momentum holds, it may instead end with him signing the kind of deal that could keep him in the Twin Cities long enough to prove whether he’s a true top-six centerpiece.
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