Of all the NHL players to test positive for COVID-19 this season, no one took the virus harder than Marco Rossi — before he was even able to make his NHL debut. The ninth overall pick of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild, Rossi was expected to compete for a roster spot right away this year. Instead, he never even made it to camp. After testing positive in November, Rossi was still cleared for the World Junior Championship, but after just four games with Team Austria, he was removed from the lineup do to COVID symptoms. The complications grew so severe that the young center was sent back home to Austria in January, considered out indefinitely. As he continued to struggle with the virus, it became clear that Rossi would not play at all this season as he as reportedly busy fighting for his life.
More than six months since his initial diagnosis, things are finally looking up for Rossi. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler reports that doctors have told the talented forward that he can resume hockey activities. Rossi is expected to begin skating and training immediately. A full offseason regiment could be enough to get him back in shape for next season as he looks to actually get a chance to compete for a roster spot in Minnesota.
Of course, expectations should be tempered. The Wild are in need of a future first-line center and will give their top prospect every opportunity to make the team. However, Rossi is not just another prospect who was unable to play this season. His bout with COVID has surely taken a toll physically, and even with an offseason of full hockey activities, it may still take him time to get up to game speed. Minnesota can only hope that the OHL phenom has no lasting effect and can make good on his draft stock, even if takes some time.
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