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Phil Riewer -> RE: Wild 2023/2024 Season (4/29/2024 9:55:13 AM)
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What are the chances Marco Rossi gets traded?
Higher than you’d think. If the Wild could trade Rossi for the same level of high-end prospect, but one who’s bigger and faster, there’s a real chance they’d pull the trigger.
For instance, the Wild were interested in Cutter Gauthier before Philadelphia traded his rights to Anaheim. That is the type of trade they might consider for Rossi.
It doesn’t have to be a center, either, because they envision Danila Yurov playing center once he makes it to the NHL, and we’re starting to sense that they foresee Yurov and Joel Eriksson Ek as their top two centers and aren’t convinced Rossi should be third- or (obviously) fourth-liner. Also, the Wild plan to give Riley Heidt every chance to make the team in the fall. But if they are to keep him in Minnesota rather than returning him to the WHL, they’re going to want him getting top-six and power-play minutes.
The Wild’s top six right now is Kirill Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy on one line, and Rossi and Mats Zuccarello likely with a free agent or trade acquisition on the other. Something has to give there if Heidt’s going to be inserted.
What are the chances Marco Rossi gets traded?
Higher than you’d think. If the Wild could trade Rossi for the same level of high-end prospect, but one who’s bigger and faster, there’s a real chance they’d pull the trigger.
For instance, the Wild were interested in Cutter Gauthier before Philadelphia traded his rights to Anaheim. That is the type of trade they might consider for Rossi.
It doesn’t have to be a center, either, because they envision Danila Yurov playing center once he makes it to the NHL, and we’re starting to sense that they foresee Yurov and Joel Eriksson Ek as their top two centers and aren’t convinced Rossi should be third- or (obviously) fourth-liner. Also, the Wild plan to give Riley Heidt every chance to make the team in the fall. But if they are to keep him in Minnesota rather than returning him to the WHL, they’re going to want him getting top-six and power-play minutes.
The Wild’s top six right now is Kirill Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy on one line, and Rossi and Mats Zuccarello likely with a free agent or trade acquisition on the other. Something has to give there if Heidt’s going to be inserted.
You’ve said the Wild could be pursuing a top-six forward in free agency. Who are some options?
Well, it could be via trade, too, whether that’s trading Rossi or Gustavsson or even a prospect or draft pick.
If it is in free agency, we think they’d be interested in a right-shot forward on a one- or two-year deal. One that may make sense if he doesn’t re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings is veteran David Perron. Selfishly, we’d love Patrick Kane, although he’d probably want a good number AAV-wise and term-wise after his time with Detroit.
Guerin talked about building better depth. With one more year of cap hell, what depth players are out there in free agency or trade?
He’s talking about Iowa and potentially spending money on players on one-way contracts who could clear waivers in the fall but provide better call-up options when they run into injuries next season. So in other words, if you lose a power-play guy or a top-six player, perhaps coach John Hynes would have a handful of options who can provide more of an impact next season on the NHL roster. The Wild, to be blunt, were disappointed in most every call-up from Iowa this season. (More on that Thursday.)
You’ve reported Brock Faber could get $9 million a season? Any other possible extensions this summer?
The only one seems like Jake Middleton. You can bank on that one.
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