2 Off-Season Trade Targets for the NY Islanders

Marco Rossi

Bringing in a player like Marco Rossi would check off multiple boxes for the Islanders with a single trade. Turning 23 years old a month before the 2024-25 season, Rossi is a former first-round pick of the Minnesota Wild, who GM Bill Guerin may be willing to listen to offers on according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

A highly touted prospect after being selected 19th overall in 2020, Rossi struggled in his recovery from COVID-19, impacting his timeline for an NHL debut. With all complications cleared up, Rossi just finished his first full NHL season, appearing in 82 games, scoring 21 goals, and adding 19 assists.

Rossi centered the Wild's second line for most of the season, and while the Islanders have many centers at their disposal, it's hard to argue against the addition of one turning 23 years old. If the Islanders were to acquire Rossi, Patrick Roy has options where to deploy him. He's still young enough to be transitioned to the wing, or he can be kept at center and slide Brock Nelson to the first-line wing, where there was some success earlier this season alongside Barzal and Horvat.

Rossi's age is what would make him so desirable for the Islanders. As the roster currently stands, the only players under 30 years old within the top 6 are Barzal and Horvat, with Horvat turning 30 at the end of next season. The Islanders need an influx of young, skilled forwards, with Rossi fitting the bill. Like the Romanov trade, it would be like using that first-round pick on a 22-year-old ready to slot immediately into the lineup.

The Wild could see a lot of roster turnover this season, with more than $14.7M tied up in dead cap due to the buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.

Rossi has one more year remaining on his entry-level contract before becoming an RFA. His low cost this season would allow the Islanders to re-sign Kyle MacLean along with Mike Reilly, or another defenseman.

Guerin may ultimately decide not to part with Rossi - but if he's willing to listen to offers, Lamoriello and 30 other GMs will likely be giving the former Islanders captain a phone call.