Analyzing the Flyers need to trade for Marco Rossi

Oh great, another post about a Marco Rossi trade.

That thought means something: the rumors have hit the zenith. Even the seed of an unfounded rumor may manifest as a trade, and it seems like there is no turning back at this point.

Today, the rumors are fueled by a tweet from  RG Media.

Tomorrow, it will be something else.

Even as the 23-year-old burgeoning star and his agent continue to play a prolonged game of tug-of-war with the Minnesota Wild, an inevitability nears. He will eventually be traded, or one side will cave to the other’s contract demands.

Rossi wants big money, and he will get it. If that happens now or after a bridge contract remains to be seen. In truth, there are a lot of “ifs” that still need to be resolved.

If he gets traded, what is his value? If a team acquires him, what guarantees do they have that he will sign there? If the team does not have the exact assets the Minnesota Wild want, will they be willing to take something of equal value?

If the rumors have merit, which they appear to, and there is a real link between Rossi and the Flyers, the organization itself has several questions to answer. Where does he fit? What does he bring to the team?

Whatever the case, the Flyers should trade for him, or they shouldn’t. It’s a mandrake root.

Rare and magical: Rossi is worth the hype

A player like Rossi rarely, if ever, becomes available at 23. To pass on the opportunity would seem foolish. His first full season was in 2023-24, and he scored 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points. This past season, that number jumped to 60, three shy of Michkov’s point total. Imagine the two of them lighting up opponents next season.

The thought of Michkov and Rossi fueling each other’s game and racking up points is exciting. As you picture it, the voice from the back of your head chimes in: do it. The Flyers would be better with him, no matter what the cost.

Of course the Flyers have talked about him, both internally and with the Wild’s brass. How would you not have those conversations? Danny Briere is ready to make his mark on the team, and acquiring Rossi would absolutely do that.

Deep roots are hard to pull up: Minnesota has leverage

In a bubble, the Minnesota Wild do not want to trade Rossi. They would have no reason to do so. He may be forcing their hand, but they still control his rights. He is set to become a restricted free agent. They can wait it out and see if he decides to stay or continue to entertain offers until one blows them away. Theoretically, they are not in a rush to unload him.

Without even attempting to weigh Rossi’s trade value, we know it will be high. So will his new contract. It is rumored that he is looking for a deal in the $7 million AAV range. Fortunately, though, the Flyers do have the cap space to add such a contract if it makes sense.

The mandrake screams: Philly’s need is no secret

The Flyers are not only in the market for a top-tier center. They have made that clear. In a press conference this past January, GM Danny Briere said:

“What I can tell you on that is we've tried and we're trying and we're looking at you know what's out there. The reality is you know there's not a lot of high-end centermen in this league and, when teams have them, they want to keep them, or the price is crazy.“

While he followed that up with comments about not wanting to mortgage the team’s future, the quantity/demand equation does not work in their favor. The Flyers need a center, it is going to cost them, and the Wild has no reason to do teams any favors.  

Inherent toxicity: The Rossi situation may be an omen

A pretty picture is painted by both Wild GM Bill Guerin and the Rossi camp, indicating that they want the relationship to last. So, what is the source of these rumors? Could it be created by an external force, leaked from the inside, or completely fabricated? Despite its roots, the news seems to have at least a modicum of truth to it.

When this eventually concludes, some news will leak. In the interim, we are left wondering about Rossi’s role in the situation, and could it foreshadow any future issues with a new team.

The small human shape: size concerns

A knock on Rossi is his size. At 5’9” and 192 pounds, he is shorter than Matvei Michkov. He has a little more muscle to him, but he has also had more time in the NHL to bulk up. Putting both of them on the top line would pose challenges.

Rossi would likely need to be on the second line, meaning the Flyers would need to find another center, or play the long game and hope Jett Luchanko can take that top spot. It is worth noting that he does not have a ton of size to him either. Given the current trajectory, Luchanko may end up centering the second line.

Whether or not the Flyers can pull up the root, the scream is real. Can Marco Rossi silence it? Yes. No. Maybe.