Marco Rossi’s three-year, $5 million-per-season contract with Minnesota strengthens his bid to be the Wild’s true middle, with a $6 million qualifying offer due after 2027-28 and no three-year trade protection. His short-term ask vs longer-term offers from peers nudges Rossi toward the front of a shifting center market. Comparables like Stankoven, Coronato, Peterka, and Knies have set a higher bar, while Connor McDavid’s potential extension looms as the ultimate market signal for star contracts.

The deal structure comes as the NHL casually widens gambling and gaming ads in arenas, and Wild GM Bill Guerin sought to improve without dragging Rossi into futures. If McDavid’s extension lands before training camp, it could push the ceiling for young players and reshape dynasty and daily fantasy valuations, particularly for mid-market centers with upside.

Rossi’s move also places Rossi and Minnesota on a clearer path to recapture offensive balance, adding depth behind the top line and underscoring how evolving contract dynamics influence fantasy projections across the league.