Marco Rossi Could Make Huge Decision Next Month

The Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi remain in a stalemate over a new contract for the restricted free agent, and the latest indications, as reported last week, are that the two sides haven't even talked in over two months. But with the next 'deadline', so to speak, being the start of training camp next month, a new reality is being discussed that would not bode well for either Rossi or the Wild.

According to insider Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, speaking on the Sekeres & Price podcast recently, Rossi could be considering a holdout from camp as his next move:

Training camp will be kinda where rubber meets the road. I think it's 'Are you gonna come back and play for us at the number we want? Or are you gonna sit out?' And I think that's maybe the direction it is going in.

Rossi is looking for something in the range of a $7 million AAV over a long-term (seven-year) deal. The Wild, however, are said to not be willing to go much over the $5 million AAV mark, and on a shorter term.

As for a potential camp holdout, Rossi could be following in the footsteps of Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman last summer, who went the holdout route, and yes, he got his money (8 yrs x $8.25M AAV), but he then had a dreadful season, as the lack of a training camp obviously hampered him, and he never really caught up.

James Murphy reports in rg.org that an NHL team executive told him that Swayman's choice last summer should serve as a cautionary tale for any unsigned RFAs:

“I think it’s something the teams, players, and agents are all considering right now, but it will be unique to each situation,” said the exec. “I mean, obviously, I’m coming from the team side here, so if I were in that situation, I’d want what’s best for my team, and I’d just be like ‘Fine, you don’t want to show up for camp, let’s see how that goes for you!’"

The exec would like to think that the player "is willing to compromise and think of his teammates, too... (A holdout) can really backfire. It can also divide a dressing room. Given the season Swayman and the Bruins had, and the fact they traded their captain and blew that room up, I’d say that was the case there.”

Interesting times ahead in Minnesota for Rossi and the Wild, as well in Anaheim, where RFA Mason McTavish is also at loggerheads with the Ducks.

We are exactly one month from the start of training camps all around the NHL.