Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 13, 2025
The latest on Marco Rossi and updates on the Flames and Jets in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
STARTRIBUNE.COM: Sarah McLellan reports the contract stalemate persists between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old center is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract, giving Wild general manager Bill Guerin the hammer in their negotiations.
The two sides have traded contract offers, with the Wild making short and long-term proposals.
Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)
Rossi is eligible to sign an offer sheet with a rival club. However, Guerin said his club is prepared for that, saying they’ll match any offer. “We’d rather make a deal with Marco,” he said.
McLellan observed that recent contracts for comparable players have run the gamut. New York Rangers winger Will Cuylle received a two-year, $7.8 million contract, while William Eklund of the San Jose Sharks signed a three-year, $16.8 million deal. Meanwhile, Logan Stankoven got a maximum-term eight-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes worth $48 million, while Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies landed a six-year, $46.5 million deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi’s been the subject of trade speculation since last year. His current contract impasse continues to make him a fixture in this summer’s rumor mill.
It’s doubtful Rossi will receive an offer sheet. The Wild have over $10 million in cap space, and it’s unlikely a rival club will exceed that amount to pry him away, let alone having to part with four first-round picks as compensation for a successful signing.
A trade is possible if this standoff carries on through training camp and the start of the regular season. However, the Rossi camp could settle for a short-term bridge deal and look to use his arbitration rights to land a more lucrative contract down the road.
SPORTSNET: Eric Francis believes the Calgary Flames would prefer trading Rasmus Andersson before the fall and avoid the risk of injury. However, general manager Craig Conroy has pledged to retain the 28-year-old defenseman for as long as possible to maximize the potential return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July, making him the frequent subject of trade rumors since the end of last season.
Conroy could move Andersson before training camp opens in September or the start of the regular season in October. If he doesn’t receive a suitable offer by then, he could wait until the March trade deadline.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon cited that the Winnipeg Jets’ priority is signing wingers Gabriel Vilardi and Kyle Connor to a new contract. Vilardi is currently a restricted free agent, while Connor is UFA-eligible next July.
The Jets must also re-sign defenseman Dylan Samberg and center Morgan Barron. Like Vilardi, they are restricted free agents. The trio is ineligible to receive offer sheets because they filed for arbitration.
Team captain Adam Lowry is also a year away from UFA status. The 32-year-old forward will miss the first two months of the season recovering from hip surgery.
Dixon also believes Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will monitor the trade market for a potential replacement for departed winger Nikolaj Ehlers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers’ departure could make some Jets fans nervous about Connor’s future in Winnipeg. However, Cheveldayoff convinced goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele to forego the riches of free agency and buy into his plan to make the Jets a contender. He could do the same with Connor.
Lyle, re: “The Jets must also re-sign defenseman Dylan Samberg and center Morgan Barron. Like Vilardi, they are restricted free agents. The trio is ineligible to receive offer sheets because they filed for arbitration.”
Can you clarify that, since it’s in contradiction to what is shown at Puckpedia. There, for all 4 Winnipeg RFAs (C Rasmus Kupari also needs to be re-upped), if you call up their detailed sheet it shows that all 4 are open to offer sheets. And yet all but Kupari have filed for arbitration.
Is Puckpedia in error here?
George, all three filed for arbitration on July 5. They are ineligible to receive offer sheets. As for Kupari, he signed a two-year contract with a team in Switzerland. The Jets retain his NHL rights until his UFA eligibility.
So, Puckpedia is tardy in updating their site. That can be confusing.
Thanks for the clarification, by the way, Lyle.
I don’t see KFC leaving. He’s well settled in Winnipeg and he’s into hunting, fishing, the Kings y of thing very easy to do in Manitoba.
kind of things, dang autocorrect
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kyle would test free agency if this season takes a bad turn.
If there is one thing Chevy is patient .
Flames will act when they get close to what they are looking for. I believe 4 assets. Combination of a roster player picks and prospects
Flames have a good defensive prospect pool and I’d rather they get the Ras energy out of room and let some of the younger players start the season playing in the nhl. Also to me, he’s a better addition to a team at the start of the season, instead tdl because he’ll know their system by playoff time.
Im writing this question here as well.
So if the the new CBA goes into effect sept 16th 2026, would that mean that RFA/UFAs signing between july 1st and sept 15th would be eligible for the 7 and 8 year contracts?
If so, and this is for Lyle mostly, do you think we will see most of those players signing within that period, unlike some RFAs, specifically, dragging it on into the season/spring?
Trade rumors making rds .. Jordan Kyrou would waive his NTC to join the Bruins .. combo if players mention going to Blues would be a combo of Casey Mittelstadt, Pavel Zacha, Matt Poitras, and Mason Lohrei and probably a draft pick .. Bruins have to shed $$$ with only 2 million in cap and Kyrou making 8.1 million per for next 5 years ..
I m guessing Monty will have major input on this one! Is Kyrou a center or wing? I m guessing he would want in this order Zacha,Lohrei,Poitras,and then Middlestadt.
Zacha isn’t going to be moved out. He is Pasta’s buddy and countryman. Pasta needs to be kept happy and that helps plus he’s a 40 point guy who good in all 3 zones