A main concern the Calgary Flames have had since current general manager Craig Conroy took over has been a young centre. It’s been on their wishlist and a target to get for quite some time. Now, most teams aren’t lining up to trade their centres with promise and youth unless there’s a need for a change of scenery or no future or current use.
In some cases, the organization just seems to not like the player as much. That seems to be the case with Marco Rossi and the Minnesota Wild. A solid rookie year and a great start to this season, yet Rossi’s name has been in trade rumours since the summer. It’s not set in stone that the Wild will trade him but his name has been circulating. If he is truly available, the Flames should be all over it.
Rossi’s career so far
Rossi’s career can be tracked all the way back to when he was 10 years old in 2011 lighting up his home country of Switzerland. His development continued in his homeland, producing at level. This was until he was 17 and joined the Ottawa 67’s for the 2018–19 season.
Pre-draft
He was one year away from his draft year when he joined the 67s, the team that had selected him in the 2018 CHL import draft at 18th overall. Rossi instantly showed his talent and started to produce. In 53 games, Rossi tallied 29 goals and 65 points. That production was good enough for fourth on the team in scoring in just his rookie season. Then the 67’s and Rossi went on a playoff run to the finals. They unfortunately lost to the Guelph Storm in six games but Rossi did not disappoint putting up 22 points in the 17 playoff games. His draft year came and Rossi was already turning heads so it was time to turn them even more. That he did.
In 56 games with the 67’s, Rossi jumped up to 39 goals and 120 points. That’s 55 more points in only three more games. He not only comfortably led his team in scoring, but the entire OHL too. With the global pandemic hitting, playoffs were not played. Rossi was a projected top five pick. He was heavily rumoured to be being considered by the Detroit Red Wings at fourth overall. Obviously, the Red Wings with Lucas Raymond. Rossi slid a bit down to ninth overall where he was selected by his current team, the Minnesota Wild.
After the draft and a major health scare
The following was limited for Rossi, playing only one game for the ZSC Lions and putting up one point. He captained Austria at the World Juniors as well. That tournament was short for them as they did not qualify for the quarterfinals. In the four games, Rossi didn’t put up a single point.
Not long after, Rossi had a scare with his life. In November of 2020, he received a diagnosis of COVID-19. It became worse when it was revealed to him by doctors that he had myocarditis which is the inflammation of the heart muscle. He was being told that if he had played one more game at the World Juniors, that could’ve been his life.
August of 2021 is when Rossi suited up again with his country team of Austria. He played exhibition games but also in the Olympic Qualifiers. With some production, Rossi seemed to finding his way back. The 2021–22 training camp with the Wild had Rossi finally feeling confident in his athletic ability again.
Rossi’s rise to the NHL
2021–22 as a season was huge for Rossi. With almost a year off with health complications, he was motivated to find his groove. And that he did. He spent the majority of the year in the AHL. However, he was awesome. In 63 games with the Iowa Wild, he scored 18 goals and 53 points. On January 6, 2022, Rossi made his NHL debut after receiving a call-up. He played again two days later before being reassigned. 2022–23 saw progress in his game for another year.
Making the opening night roster, Rossi played 16 games before being sent down. He spent most of his time in the AHL for the second year in a row, but his production improved to 16 goals and 51 points in just 53 games. For the final three games of the season, he was recalled. Overall in those 19 games, Rossi produced his first NHL point which was his only point in the games.
Rossi’s biggest strides in his career came last season as he made the opening night roster once again but this time he stuck around. On October 14, 2023, against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second game of the season, Rossi scored his first career goal. Sticking around, Rossi played all 82 games of the Wild’s season. He produced 21 goals and 40 points in what was his rookie season. Very good growth from a guy who had a single point in 21 career games at the start of the year.
Rossi has carried the momentum from last year into this one. In 25 games with the Wild, Rossi has scored seven goals and 20 points. That’s a pace of 23 goals and 66 points across 82 games. He’s currently serving as the second line centre between Marcus Johansson and Ryan Hartman.
Despite the incline in his career, his name has still been in trade rumours. This could very well be the Wild organization preferring other players.
An analytical breakdown of Rossi
Going to HockeyViz.com, let’s take a look at Rossi’s 5v5 isolated impact chart throughout his career so far. For these charts, a more positive xGF value means a player is producing more offence for their team, while a more negative xGA value means they are preventing offence against them.
Starting with his two games in 2021–22, it reads that Rossi did not perform well at all. His offence had a terrible rating and his defence was nothing special. However, it was a very small sample size and these charts tend to overplay in a small sample size.
Jumping to 2022–23, not much changed in 19 games. His offence is about the same and the defence worsened. If this was all he had until this point, it would be concerning, but fortunately Rossi has taken huge steps forward. 2023–24 sees Rossi’s offence improve heavily to -0.8%. While not anything but than league average, still better than his horrid scoring before. His defence improved heavily to -3.6% xGA which is a very good score for a defensive rating. This year we see Rossi’s offence improve to a +0.9%, making him slightly above league average. Defence drops slightly but enough to be concerned.
Rossi’s fit with the Flames
Rossi would be the best option for the Flames, in my opinion. Out of all the possible young centres available for trade, Rossi brings the most skill and potential. He has a unique skill set of offensive traits but also an ability to play good on the defensive side of the puck. His style is highlighted by his skating including his speed and edgework. Throw in some nice hands, creativity, and passing skill and you already have a good offensive weapon.
He has a scoring touch too. It comes together and makes him great in the transition. He can lead or join the rush and create great opportunity for his team. He’s nifty and intelligent which typically make you a threat at the NHL level.
He’s not the biggest guy but has already been playing bigger than he is and locked down a career at centre. His 40 points last year and current pace this year scream someone who becomes a top-six forward, if not one already. Potential to be a top-line player on a competitive team is absolutely still there for Rossi too.
He’d really bring want most Flames centre prospects don’t have. A nifty set of offensive skill and a high ceiling. It’s been boring to watch the Flames since 2022–23 and Rossi could easily change that. He’s electric and a very fun player to view when he’s one the ice. His age of 23 fits the Flames window and will have him at his best by the time the Flames are ready to compete.
There are only few concerns that could come with trying to acquire Rossi. The first would be that if he has the ability to become that true 1C who is on the same level as most of those who win Cups. But I see the risk as worth it as even if he realisitically doesn’t reach elite 1C, there’s still a very good high chance he ends up as a really good dynamic second-line centre.
Another concern would be that Connor Zary and Rossi would have expiring contracts in the same offseason. Not a huge deal but would the Flames really want to deal with two good young centres needing contracts in the same offseason? The final would be cost which is the main problem for most of these. It’s likely taking a first-round pick, a prospect, and maybe something else. The Wild like big players with skill (Sam Honzek?) so I think that would be part of the deal.
With Rossi, I do think the positives heavily outweigh the negatives of him as a trade target. He’s someone with the ceiling to be a dynamic offensive talent that produces tons with still good potential to be a top-end 2C if the first line doesn’t work out. His combination of skill and hardwork make him incredibly intriguing for a trade target.
Worth it for Rossi?
Most trades that the Flames could make to acquire Rossi would be worth it. He had fantastic potential at the draft and health conditions weighed him down for a bit but he seems to be right back on track. His production has improved every year of his career pretty much and who is to say it will decline? A set of skills that make him an electric and fun offensive weapon but also good in defensive end make him a very highly sought after target.
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