All Things 2025 Minnesota Wild Offseason

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

This one is right at the top of the list; resolving the contract situation with Marco Rossi. The Athletic did a good piece on this today. I honestly don't know what the market rate should be for Rossi, but it sure isn't the same as Boldy. The best move would have probably been to sign him 8-9+ months ago when they could have gotten him at a better number likely.

The Wild and Marco Rossi Remain at Impasse on Contract

"The Wild’s five-year contract offer to Rossi for a $5 million average annual value is in line with Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell and Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome.

On a seven- or eight-year term, Rossi is likely looking at comparables like the Ottawa Senators’ Dylan Cozens ($7.1 million), Buffalo Sabres’ Josh Norris ($7.95 million) and the Wild’s Matt Boldy, who signed a seven-year, $49 million extension in January 2023."

"On a three-year term, Evolving-Hockey estimates Rossi is a $5.262 million player this summer. On a five-year term, the site has him at $6.067 million. On a seven-year term, it’s at $6.688 million."

I don't see Rossi in the same ballpark as Cozens, Norris or Boldy, but what do I know?

 

[upnorthkid]

This one is right at the top of the list; resolving the contract situation with Marco Rossi. The Athletic did a good piece on this today. I honestly don't know what the market rate should be for Rossi, but it sure isn't the same as Boldy. The best move would have probably been to sign him 8-9+ months ago when they could have gotten him at a better number likely.

The Wild and Marco Rossi Remain at Impasse on Contract

"The Wild’s five-year contract offer to Rossi for a $5 million average annual value is in line with Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell and Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome.

On a seven- or eight-year term, Rossi is likely looking at comparables like the Ottawa Senators’ Dylan Cozens ($7.1 million), Buffalo Sabres’ Josh Norris ($7.95 million) and the Wild’s Matt Boldy, who signed a seven-year, $49 million extension in January 2023."

"On a three-year term, Evolving-Hockey estimates Rossi is a $5.262 million player this summer. On a five-year term, the site has him at $6.067 million. On a seven-year term, it’s at $6.688 million."

I don't see Rossi in the same ballpark as Cozens, Norris or Boldy, but what do I know?

Yeah I get the cap is going up, but he’s nowhere near a 7 mil aav player and you certainly let him walk if he thinks so and someone wants to pay him that

 

[TRF Guy]

I see MoJo re-signed at $800,000 for one year. That's fourth line money. He is big, fast and skilled but so inconsistent and a bit soft. But for just one year at 800 grand I can live with it

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

I see MoJo re-signed at $800,000 for one year. That's fourth line money. He is big, fast and skilled but so inconsistent and a bit soft. But for just one year at 800 grand I can live with it

Hard to disagree with that number and for just one year, for that production. Good signing for the Wild.

It will be interesting to see which of the 2026 dominoes fall first this coming July 1, between Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and KK97. I'm biased, because I think the guys running the VGK are arguably the smartest in the league, but I would not be surprised to see Eichel sign first, for a pretty agreeable number; not just because he's happy playing for a team that's competitive every year but it's hard to ignore the no state income tax advantage for the VGK.

I hope McDavid rapes Edmonton for a massive, massive number. They are already paying Draisaitl $14M/yr, and they still have to sign Evan Bouchard to a new deal this offseason, although he's an RFA.

Will the KK97 negotiations with the Wild be adversarial or testy? Anxious to see how this plays out

 

[Winnipegopher]

This one is right at the top of the list; resolving the contract situation with Marco Rossi. The Athletic did a good piece on this today. I honestly don't know what the market rate should be for Rossi, but it sure isn't the same as Boldy. The best move would have probably been to sign him 8-9+ months ago when they could have gotten him at a better number likely.

The Wild and Marco Rossi Remain at Impasse on Contract

"The Wild’s five-year contract offer to Rossi for a $5 million average annual value is in line with Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell and Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome.

On a seven- or eight-year term, Rossi is likely looking at comparables like the Ottawa Senators’ Dylan Cozens ($7.1 million), Buffalo Sabres’ Josh Norris ($7.95 million) and the Wild’s Matt Boldy, who signed a seven-year, $49 million extension in January 2023."

"On a three-year term, Evolving-Hockey estimates Rossi is a $5.262 million player this summer. On a five-year term, the site has him at $6.067 million. On a seven-year term, it’s at $6.688 million."

I don't see Rossi in the same ballpark as Cozens, Norris or Boldy, but what do I know?

As Boldy? No though I think his ceiling is higher than Norris or Cozens with a lower floor because of his size.

Guerin needs to sign him and hope. Its so hard to acquire talent in the NHL and a trade won't bring back equivalent "right now" talent.

 

[upnorthkid]

Hard to disagree with that number and for just one year, for that production. Good signing for the Wild.

It will be interesting to see which of the 2026 dominoes fall first this coming July 1, between Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and KK97. I'm biased, because I think the guys running the VGK are arguably the smartest in the league, but I would not be surprised to see Eichel sign first, for a pretty agreeable number; not just because he's happy playing for a team that's competitive every year but it's hard to ignore the no state income tax advantage for the VGK.

I hope McDavid rapes Edmonton for a massive, massive number. They are already paying Draisaitl $14M/yr, and they still have to sign Evan Bouchard to a new deal this offseason, although he's an RFA.

Will the KK97 negotiations with the Wild be adversarial or testy? Anxious to see how this plays out

Mcdavid I think depends on if they win this year or not. I don’t think he’ll hamstring them if they don’t win as he certainly seems like a guy who cares about legacy And winning cups. I don’t think he’ll kill then either way but if they come up short he may cut them a more friendly deal as he kills it in endorsements as it is

 

[Winnipegopher]

Mcdavid I think depends on if they win this year or not. I don’t think he’ll hamstring them if they don’t win as he certainly seems like a guy who cares about legacy And winning cups. I don’t think he’ll kill then either way but if they come up short he may cut them a more friendly deal as he kills it in endorsements as it is

McDavid has always done a team friendly deal. I suspect he will sign for a bit more than Draisatl...unless he decides he wants out. Leafs fans think he wants to come home. I think they are delusional but who really knows.

 

[upnorthkid]

McDavid has always done a team friendly deal. I suspect he will sign for a bit more than Draisatl...unless he decides he wants out. Leafs fans think he wants to come home. I think they are delusional but who really knows.

Don’t see how he would want our based on how Edmonton has treated him and how they’ve assembled a team around him. Guess you never know but that one would be a shocker

 

[GopherJake]

I see MoJo re-signed at $800,000 for one year. That's fourth line money. He is big, fast and skilled but so inconsistent and a bit soft. But for just one year at 800 grand I can live with it

“MoJo”? Haven’t heard that one. Johansson had a decent season and is taking a $1.2 MM pay cut. He will turn 35 in October. Feels like a good deal for the Wild, if he can stay healthy. By comparison, he earned $9MM in 19-20 + 20-21 for Buffalo. Wild probably overpaid in 23-24 for 2 years x $2MM.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Is there even the slightest chance that TOR lets Knies walk as a RFA, and if so, has he shown enough for a team like the Wild to wave big money at him?

Boeser would still seem like a more reasonable target even if we sign Rossi to a new deal.

 

[upnorthkid]

Is there even the slightest chance that TOR lets Knies walk as a RFA, and if so, has he shown enough for a team like the Wild to wave big money at him?

Boeser would still seem like a more reasonable target even if we sign Rossi to a new deal.

no and we can't afford him based on what the comp will be to toronto unless we accumulate draft picks

AAV	Compensation
$1 - $1,511,701	None
$1,5111,701 - $2,290,457	1 3rd-round pick
$2,290,457 - $4,580,917	1 2nd-round pick
$4,580,917 - $6,871,374	1 1st-round pick, 1 3rd-round pick
$6,871,374 - $9,161,834	1 1st-round pick, 1 2nd-round pick, 1 3rd-round pick
$9,161,834 - $11,452,294	2 1st-round picks, 1 2nd-round pick, 1 3rd-round pick
$11,452,294 or more	4 1st-round picks

knies will end up in the 6-9 mil aav.

 

[Slim Tubby]

no and we can't afford him based on what the comp will be to toronto unless we accumulate draft picks

AAV	Compensation
$1 - $1,511,701	None
$1,5111,701 - $2,290,457	1 3rd-round pick
$2,290,457 - $4,580,917	1 2nd-round pick
$4,580,917 - $6,871,374	1 1st-round pick, 1 3rd-round pick
$6,871,374 - $9,161,834	1 1st-round pick, 1 2nd-round pick, 1 3rd-round pick
$9,161,834 - $11,452,294	2 1st-round picks, 1 2nd-round pick, 1 3rd-round pick
$11,452,294 or more	4 1st-round picks

knies will end up in the 6-9 mil aav.

Thanks for the chart, UNK...I didn't even consider the compensation required for signing a RFA.

 

[TRF Guy]

Now that’s how you open up the Stanley Cup finals. Hell of a fun game to get it going

 

[TRF Guy]

“Rossi’s camp is looking for a contract similar to that of Matthew Boldy in the seven-year, $49 million range,” Di Marco said. “By all accounts, that price is too expensive for GM Bill Guerin’s taste, and he has at least begun to take calls on Rossi.”

Wild Forward's Contract Demand Makes Trade Difficult

The Minnesota Wild are entering this offseason with arguably one of the most attractive trade pieces in their organization. All signs point to the Wild moving o

www.si.com

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

“Rossi’s camp is looking for a contract similar to that of Matthew Boldy in the seven-year, $49 million range,” Di Marco said. “By all accounts, that price is too expensive for GM Bill Guerin’s taste, and he has at least begun to take calls on Rossi.”

Wild Forward's Contract Demand Makes Trade Difficult

The Minnesota Wild are entering this offseason with arguably one of the most attractive trade pieces in their organization. All signs point to the Wild moving o

www.si.com

From the outside looking in (and as a non-Wild fan for the most part), watching how some of these things have gone with the Wild sure seems to me like the negotiations with KK97 are going to be fairly contentious.

I'm curious, to Wild fans because I think it's definitely relevant considering they are both eligible for their long term deals; how do Wild fans think KK97 compares to VGK's Jack Eichel?

I think KK97 is a better offensive player, but not by a huge margin; Eichel is bigger and stronger, probably more durable, plays on the PK, and has developed into one of the better 200-ft players in the league; he was 5th in the Selke voting, he could have easily won the Conn Smythe when VGK won the SC 2 years ago.

It'll be interesting to see where their contracts come in, no doubt about it.

 

[upnorthkid]

From the outside looking in (and as a non-Wild fan for the most part), watching how some of these things have gone with the Wild sure seems to me like the negotiations with KK97 are going to be fairly contentious.

I'm curious, to Wild fans because I think it's definitely relevant considering they are both eligible for their long term deals; how do Wild fans think KK97 compares to VGK's Jack Eichel?

I think KK97 is a better offensive player, but not by a huge margin; Eichel is bigger and stronger, probably more durable, plays on the PK, and has developed into one of the better 200-ft players in the league; he was 5th in the Selke voting, he could have easily won the Conn Smythe when VGK won the SC 2 years ago.

It'll be interesting to see where their contracts come in, no doubt about it.

Kk can carry an offense better by himself. Eichel can do it but needs other finishers around him. Defensively it’s not even close. If Vegas let Eichel get to FA, he’s a guy I’d throw a bag at if I’m guerin as he’s exactly what this team wishes ek could be

 

[TRF Guy]

Kk can carry an offense better by himself. Eichel can do it but needs other finishers around him. Defensively it’s not even close. If Vegas let Eichel get to FA, he’s a guy I’d throw a bag at if I’m guerin as he’s exactly what this team wishes ek could be

My feelings exactly