Wild Secure Future: Marco Rossi Inks Lucrative Three-Year, $15M Extension

The Minnesota Wild have made a significant move to solidify their core, officially re-signing promising young center Marco Rossi to a three-year contract extension worth an impressive $15 million. This deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $5 million and locks in one of the team's brightest talents for the coming seasons.

Rossi, who was a restricted free agent (RFA), now commits his immediate future to the Wild, a crucial step for both the player and the franchise.

This new contract signifies the organization's faith in the 22-year-old's potential and his increasing importance to their offensive scheme. The signing ensures that the dynamic Austrian will continue to be a pivotal part of the Wild's push for contention.

Coming off a breakout 2023-24 campaign, Rossi showcased his offensive prowess by tallying 21 goals and 40 points in all 82 regular-season games.

This performance marked a significant step forward for the former 9th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, establishing him as a consistent contributor at the NHL level. Prior to that, he also demonstrated his scoring touch with 16 points in 21 AHL games during the 2022-23 season, hinting at the talent that was soon to blossom.

This three-year agreement is often referred to as a "bridge deal," providing both stability for Rossi and flexibility for the Wild.

It buys out one year of his unrestricted free agency eligibility, allowing the team to retain control while he continues to develop into his prime. Should Rossi continue on his current trajectory, he will be in an excellent position for an even more substantial long-term deal when this contract concludes.

Wild fans can now look forward to seeing Rossi build on his momentum, bringing his skill, vision, and tenacious play to the ice.

His re-signing underscores the Wild's commitment to nurturing their drafted talent and constructing a competitive roster around a blend of established stars and burgeoning young players, with Rossi firmly at the heart of their future plans.