Boston Bruins urged to act now with Marco Rossi’s future in limbo

The Boston Bruins are reportedly among the teams monitoring Marco Rossi’s situation closely, as contract talks with the Minnesota Wild remain unresolved and a trade may be on the horizon.

Trade talk surrounding former top-10 pick draws interest from Boston 

Marco Rossi’s name is beginning to gain traction on the trade front, and if the Boston Bruins are serious about fixing their long-term center depth, they’d be wise to stay in the conversation.

Rossi, just 23, posted 60 points this past season and is showing signs of the offensive upside that made him the No. 9 overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft. He’s not yet a top-line force, but his blend of speed, skill, and hockey IQ could offer immediate value for a Bruins roster still looking to stabilize its future down the middle.

The connection is hard to ignore.

Boston has cap room, owns a top-10 draft pick, and has a clear organizational gap at center.

Rossi could potentially slide in behind a player like Elias Lindholm, should the Bruins land him in free agency, and create a formidable top-six.

Boston’s best bet this summer lies in the trade market

That’s what Connor Ryan of The Boston Globe recently wrote, and it reflects what many around the league are seeing. With the free-agent class at center considered thin, the Bruins may have no choice but to explore trade routes.

Rossi reportedly seeking seven-year, $7 million deal 

Contract talks between Rossi and the Wild have reportedly hit a wall. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the forward has turned down two offers and is believed to be aiming for a seven-year agreement worth roughly $7 million annually.

That price point may be too steep for Minnesota, especially given their current cap structure.

Russo noted the Wild are not actively shopping Rossi but are open to calls. If a club like Boston comes to the table with the right package, the situation could shift quickly.

A gritty scorer with a nose for the net 

Though Rossi isn’t without flaws, he’s undersized and his playoff résumé is thin, he brings a type of offensive grit that Boston lacked in the postseason.

This past season, 18 of his 24 goals came from high-danger areas.

That kind of presence around the net is something the Bruins sorely missed during their second-round playoff exit.

Timeline fits Boston’s current core

Rossi’s age and skillset align well with the Bruins’ direction.

Pairing him with stars like David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy could create a balanced core that sustains Boston’s competitiveness over the next several years.

He’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, but he does check a lot of boxes for a team that has to start thinking about life after Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. And unlike many younger players, Rossi has already logged a full NHL season and delivered meaningful production.

Bruins watching closely as trade market takes shape

There’s still a chance the Wild work things out and sign Rossi long-term. But if talks continue to stall, and Minnesota decides to explore a move, the Bruins have both the assets and the need to get involved.

Young centers with top-six upside don’t often become available.

Boston may not get a better shot at addressing this position for years, and the clock is ticking on their core’s prime.