The Minnesota Wild re-signed restricted free agent center Marco Rossi to a three-year contract worth $5 million per season, the team announced Friday.
Rossi will remain a restricted free agent when this deal expires. He can’t hit unrestricted free agency until 2029.
His qualifying offer in 2028 will be $6 million, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo.
The 23-year-old center just completed his breakout season with 24 goals and 60 points in 82 games. He finished second on the Wild in points and third in goals.
But Rossi’s playoff role changed dramatically. He averaged 18:15 of ice time as Minnesota’s primary second-line center during the regular season. That dropped to just 11:08 per game in the postseason as a fourth-line center.
Trade rumors surrounded Rossi this offseason. General manager Bill Guerin confirmed in June that teams had called about the center’s availability.
The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks were reportedly among the interested clubs.
Cap Space and Draft History
Minnesota has $4.41 million in cap space remaining after signing Rossi.
The Wild selected the 5-foot-9 Austrian ninth overall in the 2020 draft.
Luke Hughes, Mason McTavish, and Connor Zary are among the NHL’s most prominent remaining restricted free agents.
