The Minnesota Wild and restricted free agent Marco Rossi could be headed for a contract standoff this upcoming season. Wild fans are rightly worried that it’s already mid-August and Rossi has not yet inked a deal.
As training camp draws closer, the situation has become even more concerning.
An August 16 piece in RG Media looked at how last offseason’s contract standoff between the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman influenced the team’s tough season. As James Murphy described in the piece, several teams face a similar situation this upcoming season with their RFAs.
That list of teams includes the Wild. As such, the Wild could be headed down a path that could lead to a holdout by Rossi. Murphy quoted comments from an anonymous player agent, who believes that holding out is a player’s most powerful weapon:
“Sitting out of camp is the best leverage the player has, and if the GM is so worried about how it may affect his team, then bend for the team and get the player signed and there for camp.”
But as Swayman and the Bruins proved last season, a player holding out could quickly descend into a dangerous game of chicken. If the player blinks first, the player could feel like he was taken advantage of.
If the team blinks, the team could feel like they’ve lost all leverage in the situation. So, both sides are compelled to stand their ground as much as possible.
If Rossi and the Wild head down that path, it could have less-than-desirable consequences for both sides. Unfortunately, Murphy cited a comment from Elite Prospects master analyst Cam Robinson, who suggested that Rossi could follow Swayman's lead from this past season. If so, Rossi will holdout until the Wild meet his demands. In short, Rossi doesn't seem ready to budge.
That sounds like a contract standoff if ever there was one.
Marco Rossi holdout could adversely affect Wild
Swayman’s holdout last offseason cost him all of training camp. He attempted to hit the ground running but couldn’t quite get into the groove. The bad start ended up costing the Bruins a chance at a playoff spot. The situation eventually descended into chaos, leading to a fire sale at the trade deadline.
Now, we’re not saying that would be the outcome for the Wild if Rossi holds out. But such a situation could leave the team in a pickle. The Wild are counting on Rossi to be their number-two center. So, if Rossi isn’t in the lineup come opening night, who will take over?
The Wild can’t simply go out and trade for another second-line center. It just doesn’t work that way. The team can’t just sign a player because there aren’t any available.
If Rossi isn’t in the lineup on Opening Night, the club may have to count on someone else to step up. Could that be Danila Yurov? Nico Sturm? Marcus Johansson?
Such question marks could leave GM Bill Guerin in a holding pattern. Despite having over $9 million in cap space, Guerin may be handcuffed as to what he could do until he solves the situation with Rossi.
Perhaps a trade may be the way out. But then again, would a trade return a useful piece for the Wild? These questions will be the major talking points for the Wild as training camp inches closer.