NHL Rumors: Islanders Linked To Two Offer-Sheet Targets
The New York Islanders could be preparing to make a crafty move this offseason.
According to Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News, two young restricted free agents—Minnesota’s Marco Rossi and Winnipeg’s Gabriel Vilardi—have emerged as potential offer sheet targets for the Isles, as the club looks to inject youth and scoring into their aging core.
Gabriel Vilardi opens the scoring with his first of the playoffs 🚨 pic.twitter.com/U3bWGDTpyg
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 10, 2025
Rosner notes the Islanders, who are currently searching for a new general manager, are in a position to make an aggressive roster play this summer. With long-term commitments to Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Ilya Sorokin, and a top prospect en route after winning the 2025 draft lottery, the time could be right to swing big.
Offer sheets are rare, but after St. Louis successfully poached Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg last summer, rival teams may be more willing to test the waters.
Why Rossi and Vilardi Make Sense
Marco Rossi, 23, notched 60 points this season for the Wild but was underutilized in the playoffs and reportedly rejected a contract offer from Minnesota. With questions about his long-term fit in the Wild’s plans, the Islanders could tempt him with a second-line role and a deal in the $6–6.5 million AAV range—similar to what Calgary gave Matt Coronato.
The rumors of Marco Rossi being on the block are crazy to me if they’re true. You draft a legit 1C and then trade him in his prime at 24 y/o? Would be a braindead move IMO now that Minnesota can actually contend without that dead cap.#mnwild pic.twitter.com/cHGFigsGtg
— Puckmarks (@puckmarks) May 14, 2025
Gabriel Vilardi, also 23, posted 61 points with the Jets but may be squeezed out financially if Winnipeg prioritizes re-signing Nikolaj Ehlers and Dylan Samberg.
Rosner suggests a three- to five-year offer worth just over $7 million annually could force Winnipeg’s hand. Compensation for either player would fall in the fourth-tier range: a 2026 first- and third-round pick.
Both Rossi and Vilardi are entering their prime and would address New York’s glaring need for dynamic young forwards. Whether either player is willing to sign—and whether their current teams would match—remains to be seen. But with the cap rising and the offer sheet stigma fading, the Islanders may be ready to roll the dice.
Photo Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
