Welcome to The Hockey News Wraparound with a rapid-fire look at recent news ahead of NHL free agency. Today's show focuses mainly on the Atlantic Division.
Red Wings could be a surprisingly strong contender for restricted free agent Marco Rossi, thanks to their unique Austrian connection with Marco Kasper.
The Red Wings are looking towards trades rather than relying on free agency this upcoming off-season, according to GM Steve Yzerman and the Minnesota Wild present an interesting option on their trade block.
Austrian winger and restricted free agent Marco Rossi played a large role for the Minnesota Wild next season and reports indicate he's looking for a bigger contract. The 23-year-old is seeking a contract that reflects both his performance as a top-two line centre and the premium value of players of his caliber at the position.
This could open up the door for the Red Wings to nab a young player that has very high upside after finishing with 60 points last season. The 2020 ninth-overall pick is quite undersized at 5-foot-9 and reports, like one from EliteProspects' Cam Robinson, suggest this has given teams some pause when looking to add him.
The Wild offered Rossi to the Buffalo Sabres for forward JJ Peterka and the deal was declined. This is a good sign for Detroit as it may not take as much as expected to land the young centre. One of the most appealing aspects of Rossi is his close connection to Red Wings forward Marco Kasper, as both players hail from Austria.
The two have played on national teams together like during the 2021 IIHF U-20 World Junior Championships and could make for a great second line fit for the Red Wings. Kasper played roughly 11 to 17 games at wing last season, according to MoneyPuck and Rossi has better numbers on the face-off dot.
Rossi could be a valuable asset, having played significant power play minutes for the Wild last season with the second-most among forwards. He can help provide a solid second-unit centre that could lead to overall better numbers on the man advantage for Detroit.
The package back to Minnesota will be telling as they will likely be wanting a player back in return that can play NHL minutes like Michael Rasmussen or Jonatan Berggren plus potentially prospects and picks but the chance of getting Rossi would be a massive boost to Detroit's top-six forward group.
Players like Brad Marchand and Martin St. Louis have shown how smaller forwards can thrive in the NHL, typically from the wing. The Red Wings could take a similar long term approach with Rossi, especially if he develops strong chemistry with Kasper. That unique Austrian connection could become a compelling advantage Detroit can offer, one no other NHL team can match, as Kasper is currently the only other Austrian born player in the league.
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While speaking to reporters, including Matt Vensel, GM Kyle Dubas confirmed that the Pittsburgh Penguins will not be sending qualifying offers to any of their restricted free agents (RFAs) besides Philip Tomasino, Connor Dewar, and Vasily Ponamarev (to retain his NHL signing rights).
Thus, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Emil Bemstrom, Taylor Gauthier, and Raivis Ansons will not be receiving qualifying offers from the Penguins before July 1 and will become unrestricted free agents.
Joseph appeared in 47 games last season split between the St. Louis Blues and Penguins, where he posted zero goals, three assists, 36 hits, and a minus-22 rating.
Bemstrom, 26, had one assist, 12 hits, and an even plus/minus rating in 14 games with Pittsburgh this past season. He also recorded 23 goals and 48 points in 48 games with their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Gauthier, 24, had an 18-10-2 record, a .928 save percentage, and a 2.06 goals-against average in 30 games this past campaign with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
Ansons, 23, had one goal, 12 penalty minutes, and a plus-3 rating in nine games this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The 6-foot-1 forward was selected by the Penguins with the 149th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
The Florida Panthers are working hard to keep the band together.
It certainly makes sense, considering the Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions.
With free agency just hours away, opening at noon on July 1, the Panthers have been working to retain its two biggest free agents: forward Brad Marchand and defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
According to multiple reports, it sounds like the Panthers are half way home.
Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Florida and Ekblad are coming to terms on a new, long-term deal that will keep the high-end defenseman with the Panthers for the foreseeable future.
All signs point to Aaron Ekblad and FLA making progress on a long-term deal that, assuming it’s finalized, would take the veteran defenceman out of free agency.
Ekblad was selected first overall by Florida at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
He has played every minute of his NHL career with the Panthers, helping the franchise rise from one mired in mediocrity to the powerhouse they are today.
Now the question will be how much Ekblad signs for, and if it leaves enough under the cap for the Panthers to go after Marchand as well.
Friedman is reporting that the deal comes with an AAV in the $6.1 million range.
Photo caption: Mar 3, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) moves the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
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