The Calgary Flames are in for an interesting offseason. Their 2023-24 season was a disaster with many players being sold off for future pieces. The Flames are transitioning into a younger era with many prospects and picks. One of the things that Flames General Manager Craig Conroy has mentioned as a target is a centre who is 24-years-old or younger:
The possible perfect candidate for this might have just hit the trade block in Marco Rossi.
Rossi on the block?
The Minnesota Wild are in a tough position. They’re not playoff contenders and they’re not bottom feeders. This past season they finished with a record of 39-34-9 what gave them 87 points and a 10th place finish in the Western Conference. Dead cap from the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts is their main problem. An identity crisis is another. With both things considered, the Wild are destined to make changes.
Michael Russo from The Athletic also suggests that the chances of Rossi being moved are higher than one would think:
A look at Rossi’s career
Junior
Marco Rossi had his OHL rookie season with the Ottawa 67’s in 2018-19. Rossi would put up 29 goals and 65 points in 53 games as a rookie and make the second all-rookie team. The 67’s were the top ranked team in the OHL and Rossi and them went on a run to the finals. In the finals, they would lose to the Guelph Storm in 6 games. Throughout their run, Rossi picked up 22 points in 17 games.
The following year was Rossi’s draft season and he exploded. Rossi scored at a near 2 points-per-game pace with 39 goals and 120 points in 56 games. He earned many accolades such as CHL Top Scorer, OHL Most Points, OHL Most Outstanding Player, and more. Rossi’s season saw him get drafted 9th overall to the Minnesota Wild at the 2020 NHL Draft.
Battle with Covid
The global pandemic impacted many players’ seasons but Marco Rossi had it worst. Before his first training camp practice, Rossi was told he was being held out. He caught COVID-19 in November of 2020 and had felt sluggish since, but now it was worse. He was diagnosed with myocarditis which is the inflammation of the heart muscle that can reduce its ability to pump or cause an abnormal heartbeat. The doctors told Rossi that if he played one more game, he could’ve died. He went through a period of time with his health being monitored before he hit the ice again. In August of 2021, he made his return at the Olympic qualifiers and then his NHL debut in January 2022. Rossi has battled and not faced complications since.
Pro-career
In 2021-22, Rossi started his pro-career with the Iowa Wild. He strongly impressed with his 53 points in 63 games. That allowed him to be 7th in rookie scoring in the AHL. In January of that season, Rossi played his first two NHL games against the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. Then came the 2022-23 season, in which Rossi made the Wild’s opening night roster. He struggled and after 14 games and 1 point, he was sent back down to the Iowa Wild. Rossi improved in the AHL, scoring 51 points in just 53 games. To end the year, the Wild recalled Rossi for two more games.
2023-24 season
With Rossi’s prior season struggles, he desperately needed a big 2023-24 season. That is exactly what he got. He once again made the Wild’s opening night roster but this time, he didn’t get sent down. Rossi’s season started out solid with him putting up 7 points in the first 11 games. He went on to play in all 82 games of the Wild’s season while putting up 21 goals and 40 points.
Looking at analytics courtesy of HockeyViz.com, Rossi also looked great. He brought great results at both ends of the ice. Offensively, Rossi scored a +6% while generating more than less in dangerous areas. In the defensive end, he finished with a matching -6%. He made a strong impact in stopping offence in the slot and around the net, the most dangerous areas. Overall, Rossi had a +3.4 sG score with +2.5 coming from 5v5 offence and +2.6 coming from 5v5 defence.
How would Rossi fit with the Flames?
Rossi could be the potential perfect match for the Flames’ need for a 25 or younger centre. Rossi will be 23 in September and has a good career trajectory so far. His production of 40 points in a rookie season very often results in a top-six player and a good chance at a top-line forward. Potential oozes from Rossi, a former 9th overall pick who is just entering the league with a very intriguing skill set.
His smaller frame makes him rely on skill over size, but he definitely has that skill. The appeal of him as a prospect was his very dynamic and smooth game. His skating was agile and fast, allowing him to move nicely through the transition. His hands and scoring ability complimented that. This carried over to the NHL and he added a defensive game. Rossi would bring much needed dynamic skill and even more needed skating ability. With everything considered, Rossi checks off a lot of needs for the Flames.
Flames should highly considered if available
If Marco Rossi is going to be moved, the Flames should take a long look at him. Rossi brings a lot of potential to the table after a battle with heart problems. He impressed in his rookie season with 40 points and good two-way results. His skill set is one that the Flames desperately need while also getting them that 25 or under centre off their wish list. The Wild apparently want size so maybe Samuel Honzek is a part of a potential package, but I feel a realistic one is centered around Vancouver’s 1st plus more.
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