It’s safe to say that it will be a very interesting summer for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After Monday’s draft lottery, the Penguins are now slotted to select 11th overall in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, which will take place Jun. 27. They may or may not have another first-round pick from the New York Rangers at 12, depending on whether New York defers the pick to 2026. And Pittsburgh’s POHO and GM Kyle Dubas has alluded to possibly exploring the restricted free agent (RFA) market.
And there’s one big RFA who may just be dangled by his current team.
After an eighth consecutive first-round exit in postseason play, the Minnesota Wild are expected to shift some furniture around this offseason, and one player to watch will be pending-RFA forward Marco Rossi.
Rossi, 23, seems to be improving year-by-year, as he registered 24 goals and 60 points in just his second full NHL season. The 5-foot-9, 182-pound Austrian centerman may be a bit undersized, but he continues to blossom as a productive player nonetheless.
This sure seems like someone the Wild would want to keep around. But, according to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, that may not be the case.
“I don’t think the Wild like Marco Rossi,” Robinson said. “They clearly do not envision him as a long-term top-six center option for them. They’re a good team, and they don’t have an abundance of top-six centers. It’s not like they have a ton of them floating around.”
He continued: “Some of these players that are not as good as him are getting bigger contracts. So that just is telling to me is that management in Minnesota isn’t smitten on him.”
“The #mnwild don’t seem too enamoured with Marco Rossi” @Hockey_Robinson
(Aquiring Marco Rossi has been Blake’s mission for months)@mattsekeres | @justBlakePrice
Presented by Bogey Juice. pic.twitter.com/E2yjTwWNxd— Sekeres and Price (@sekeresandprice) May 7, 2025
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what about Rossi’s game isn’t to like. He produces, he plays hard, he forechecks well, and he continues to show growth and improvement in his game.
Yet, the Wild relegated him to fourth-line center duties during the playoffs. While he still managed to produce two goals and three points in the six-game series against the Vegas Golden Knights, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher as to why Rossi wasn’t placed higher in the lineup.
Even Rossi expressed disappointment in the decision while also acknowledging that he respects the decision made by head coach John Hines. And he reiterated that he’s capable of playing a larger role.
“I showed all year long how good I am, and I went last year from 40 points to 60 points this year,” Rossi said. “Anyone who knows me, it’s always going up, and I always improve, especially with my work ethic. So, I have no doubt I’m, for sure, a top-six guy.”
Marco Rossi says he met with John Hynes about his 4th line role in the playoffs, and says he was disappointed but respects the decision. He’s a RFA this summer.
“I have no doubt I am for sure a top-6 guy.”@kare11#MNWildpic.twitter.com/3PN1OcsnCy
— J.T. Messinger (@JTMessinger) May 4, 2025
So if Rossi’s time in Minnesota is ticking, should the Penguins bite?
If they have the assets required? Absolutely.
Dubas pointed out a few areas of need for the NHL roster heading into next season, and – while he explicitly called out the left side on defense – the center position is certainly one that could use a lot more depth in the organization.
Evgeni Malkin – the team’s current second-line center – regressed sizably in his age 38 season in 2024-25, registering just 16 goals and 50 points in 68 games. Even if Sidney Crosby is still brilliant at age 37, there’s no denying that the Penguins need to get ahead of adding talent at the position as soon as they possibly can.
Adding someone like Rossi into the mix – especially since he’s just 23 years old – gives the Penguins a second-line center option and greatly bolsters their forward depth. He’s also someone they can extend long-term to help the team in its next contention window, which will, presumably, be at least two years down the road.
4 Left Defensemen The Penguins Should Target This SummerDuring his postseason press conference on Apr. 21, Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas provided a glimpse into what the summer could look like for the organization.
These are the kinds of players Dubas was referring to when he mentioned exploring the RFA market. Rossi is a young talent who only projects to continue getting better, and it’s the kind of opportunity that the Penguins should be all over if it’s an option.
It’s likely that, if the Penguins are interested, they’ll try to go the trade route rather than the offer sheet route. This may drive up the price, as Rossi’s offer sheet draft compensation is likely to be at least a first-round pick given his projected salary.
This is a situation where a top-line winger like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell may need to be shown the door, as Minnesota would likely want NHL talent in exchange. But that might be worth the risk for a player like Rossi in return.
If Wild GM Bill Guerin makes Rossi available, Dubas needs to be all over it. Rossi could be somewhat of a game-changer for the Penguins if the former first-round pick reaches his potential, and that’s something that the organization desperately needs.
‘We Have To Stick To A Very Concise Plan And Then Execute Our Butts Off’: Dubas Clarifies Penguins’ Summer PlansTo close out the 2024-25 season, Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas spoke with the Pittsburgh media on Monday.
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