Marco Rossi Deserves a Bigger Role with the Canucks

When the Vancouver Canucks finally pulled the trigger and moved Quinn Hughes, most of the attention went the obvious way—toward what they lost. And fair enough. Hughes was easy to like and easy to trust, and he gave the team an identity. But trades like that aren’t just about who leaves. They’re about what quietly comes back. And in this case, one of those quieter pieces was Marco Rossi.

When he showed up with the Canucks, few knew what Rossi had to offer.

At the time, Rossi felt like more of a question than an answer. He arrived banged up, stepped into a new system, and never really had a smooth runway. Early on, there wasn’t much to grab onto—just flashes here and there. Then another injury. Then more time away. It wasn’t exactly the kind of start that gets fans excited.

But it’s wise to give young players a little time to fit in. And when Rossi came back later in the season, you could see things starting to make sense to him. He started to put up points. And, even though the team struggled, he didn’t stop producing.

What do the Canucks do with their young forward next season?

The question now becomes simple: should Rossi be a key part of this Canucks lineup next season? I’d say the answer is yes. And I think there are three pretty good reasons why.

First, he gives them something they need down the middle. Centres don’t grow on trees, and Rossi has the skill set to play in your top six. He sees the ice well, he can distribute the puck, and he’s starting to show he can handle meaningful minutes. On a team still trying to sort itself out, that matters.

Second, there’s been an evident progression. His season wasn’t linear, but by the end of it, he looked more comfortable, more decisive, and more involved. The game seemed to slow down for him just a bit. That’s usually the sign that a player is beginning to understand where he fits.

And third, he fits the timeline. The Canucks aren’t a finished product. They’re building toward something, and Rossi is right in that age group where growth still happens. He’s not blocking anyone, and he’s not out of place. He’s part of the process.

Where does that leave the Canucks next season?

Sure, it’s only a small sample size. Nobody’s handing him the keys just yet. But he looks like a player who is starting to figure things out. And for now, that’s good enough. He looks like someone the team will use regularly next season.

For now, Rossi looks like he belongs. The question of whether a full season in 2026-27 emphasizes that point.