Before the days of Marco Kasper joining the Detroit Red Wings, before he was winning player of the game awards for Team Austria in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men’s World Championships, hockey fans were intrigued by another Austrian named Marco.
Marco Rossi had a bit of a different path to the National Hockey League (NHL) than Kasper. Instead of playing in Sweden, Rossi elected to play junior hockey in Canada with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team the Ottawa 67s. Putting up stellar numbers in his draft year, it was all but a given that Rossi would be a high draft pick.
When the Buffalo Sabres stepped up to the podium at the 2020 NHL Entry Level Draft and said that they had selected someone from the Ottawa 67s, we all figured it would be Rossi. Instead, they selected his linemate, Jack Quinn. Hindsight makes the pick look even worse than it was on draft day. It’s an impressive feat considering it looked absurd at the time.
Both players are promising forwards, and Rossi has a bit more to work with on the Minnesota Wild roster than Quinn has with the Sabres. Yet, it doesn’t change the facts, or, at least, the consensus: Rossi is the better overall player.
Detroit Red Wings need to inquire with Minnesota Wild about Marco Rossi
Rossi is from the same draft class as Lucas Raymond. Although Rossi drew my intrigue (especially since he played center), I think the Red Wings made the right choice drafting Raymond. Having both players in the Winged Wheel is an enticing opportunity, though.
Since joining the NHL, Rossi has skated in 185 games, scored 45 times, and assisted on 56 goals for 101 total points with a -9 rating and 85 penalty minutes, per his NHL page. For context, Rossi jumped from playing 82 games in 2023-24 and scoring 40 points (21 goals and 19 assists) with a -4 rating to scoring 60 points (24 goals and 36 assists) with a +3 rating. His penalty minutes dropped from 47 to 26 minutes as well. In short, Rossi has shown steady progress over the last two NHL seasons.
At just 23 years old, Rossi has already experienced NHL playoff hockey. However, it’s being speculated that Rossi and the Wild aren’t a good fit. Tony Abbott of Hockey Wilderness writes in his May 13 post that Rossi’s size is being questioned. Specifically, Minnesota is concerned that he isn’t built for the playoffs. It’s cited in the same article that on his draft day that Rossi was three pounds heavier than he is currently.
My biggest thing with this size debate stems from watching and listening to former Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser. He’s joked that he could eat an entire pizza and not gain an ounce. Some players have a high metabolism, where they can’t ever eat enough or lift enough weights to make a huge impact on their overall weight.
Detroit prospect Carter Mazur also experiences this issue. He’s even stated that, especially midseason, just keeping weight on (not gaining, but just keeping the same body weight that he started the season with) is nearly impossible regardless of what or how much he eats.
It remains to be seen if Rossi suffers from a similar metabolism.
To me, it makes a difference if Rossi isn’t capable of adding the weight or doesn’t want to add it.
For additional context on Rossi’s struggles, it should be noted that he suffered one of the most serious cases of COVID. In a post from October 31, 2021, Jared Clinton of The Hockey News posted an article in which Rossi’s COVID battle was discussed.
“Sure, he could stretch and take short walks, but the 19-year-old, who prior to COVID and his myocarditis diagnosis had been in peak physical condition, couldn’t go far without his heart beginning to race. Meanwhile, doctors were questioning Rossi’s athletic future. Given the severity of his condition, there was concern he would never be able to play elite-level hockey again.”
Elaborating further with quotes from Rossi directly, the young forward mentioned being scared to even work out after being cleared to do so. Of course, the Wild kept him under medical watch, but on an individual level, I can empaathize with that fear of one’s body failing them. Speaking from a family with a long line of medical scares, it’s frightening.
Once fully recovered, Rossi had this to say, “ It sounds crazy, but I’m just thankful to be alive and be healthy.”
Who knows how things went between Rossi and Minnesota and the recovery process, but maybe there’s some lingering trouble there. Or, maybe none at all.
Rossi is a pretty self-assured individual. He has always been confident in himself and his game. If he sees that he’s not getting a fair opportunity or thinks he’s ready for a bigger role that’s not being given to him (one that he’s earned), he would seem like the player who would want a change of scenery rather than stick it out. Just speculation on my part, but he knows his worth/value-type of situation.
For Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, Rossi should be an interesting player.
Despite having both Kasper and Nate Danielson in their system, there is a dire need for help at center at the NHL level. If Rossi could be a possible upgrade from someone like J.T. Compher (or even Andrew Copp in his less-than-stellar outings), then it’s worth a phone call to see what Minnesota is asking.
What would Marco Rossi cost the Detroit Red Wings, and would Minnesota’s asking price be too high?
It seems the bare minimum in a trade nowadays, at least for a decent roster player, is a first-round pick, a roster player, and a prospect. A big question: Do the Detroit Red Wings have the roster player the Minnesota Wild would be interested in receiving in an exchange that includes Rossi?
Per the NHL’s site, Rossi averaged over 18 minutes of ice time per game. It’s more ice time than time on ice than J.T. Compher or Andrew Copp in the same season. (To make sure I paint the whole story, prior to this season, Rossi averaged around 12-16 minutes, which is comparable to both Compher and Copp.)
I’m sure Minnesota would ask for Dylan Larkin in a trade. Given the ruckus in the exit media availabilities in Detroit, outlets are saying there might be beef between Yzerman and their captain. I’m not buying what these outlets are selling, but hey, they have to create drama somehow since Yzerman isn’t dishing much himself.
When Yzerman laughs about Larkin, the Wild likely move down the list and demand Kasper. Ain’t happening.
To which point, the Wild probably say, It’s been a nice conversation, but I gotta go now.
If we could position someone like Compher, and Minnesota is not listed on his 10-team no-trade list, then the Red Wings should be very interested. It’s more of a pipedream at this point, but we can continue. I’m sure the Vancouver Canucks or Chicago Blackhawks will offer more of an enticing package. Shoot, maybe even the Boston Bruins or Columbus Blue Jackets. The exercise is still fun, nonetheless.
With the Wild not getting Larkin or Kasper, they likely demand Danielson to compensate for the loss at center and insurance in case Compher isn’t working out.
They may not like the first-round pick as it’s 13th overall (Rossi went ninth overall), but with the package, I think it would be decently fair. They say a compromise is when nobody’s happy, but everybody is okay with the outcome. To me, it doesn’t shortchange the Wild, and it doesn’t gouge the Red Wings.
When I think of expediting the Detroit Red Wings timeline (or at least not falling behind), I’m hoping for a trade like this one. Getting a young player who has proven himself, maybe not over as many seasons as Yzerman would like but progress is progress, is an interesting idea.
My gut tells me that Danielson might be the better player in the long run, so I’m hesitant to execute a trade involving him. If the Red Wings could possibly offer a different prospect (not named Amadeus Lombardi, as he’s part of my no-trade list for a reason). If these two prospects aren’t involved, then I don’t think the Wild will agree to the trade, so I have to say at this time I’m saying no to this trade for the Red Wings.
If Yzerman could work his magic, though, and offer a package without the two prospects above, then it’s a probable maybe.