NHL Insider Confident No One Will Offer Sheet Marco Rossi

Marco Rossi is possibly the restricted free agent with the most proven ability in the NHL right now. The Minnesota Wild center is still without a contract and August is right around the corner. That of course brings some concern since a different team can still go ahead and send an offer sheet for Rossi to sign and potentially move from the Wild. But, one NHL insider believes that it is a low possibility of happening.

Frank Seravalli said on Bleacher Report last week that for a team to offer sheet Rossi would take a change in general philosophy. No team is willing to meet Rossi's contract demands, and even if they get something signed by Rossi, that it would likely come in at a dollar figure that the Wild would easily match.

Frank Seravalli: Re Marco Rossi offer sheet: I don't think anyone would be willing to step up and pay; I don't think they could present any number that would scare off the Wild - Bleacher Report (7/22)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 26, 2025

It makes sense. All we have been hearing about is how, generally, teams around the league don't view Rossi as a bona fide top-six center despite his acumen. So, they won't pay him like one. And if they get the player to sign something like a two-year deal with a $4.5-million AAV, the draft pick compensation is not nearly good enough for the Wild to not match. Additionally, the Wild are probably happy with anything around that number to just get it done.

Maybe the Wild are just waiting around for some other team to finish the contract negotiation, but the two sides are still apart.

• Mats Zuccarello is defying the age curve more than almost every single NHL player in the modern era. And he probably isn't slowing down. [Hockey Wilderness]
• If the New York Rangers struggle, could the Wild heavily inquire about Artemi Panarin to unite two Russian wingers in St. Paul? [Hockey Wilderness]

Off the trail...

• Evgeny Kuznetsov is eyeing a return to the NHL. Here are three potential landing spots for the Russian centerman. [The Hockey News]
• Nicklas Backstrom hasn't played a pro hockey game since October 2023 but he is returning to his native Sweden to go play in the SHL for his childhood club, Brynas. What a story. [NHL.com]