Could Marco Rossi Be The Biggest Surprise Of The Canucks’ Rebuild? – Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks

One of the interesting things about rebuilding an NHL team is that sometimes the biggest surprises come from players who weren’t expected to be the answer. Everyone is talking about top picks, future stars, and players who should carry the franchise. But every once in a while, a team gets a player who just grabs an opportunity and refuses to let go. That may be what is happening with Marco Rossi.

When the Vancouver Canucks acquired Rossi, the conversation was about the possibilities. Can he be the type of top six center Vancouver desperately needs? Can his skill and hockey prowess translate to a bigger role? After what he showed late last season, those questions are starting to change. Now the conversation becomes more important: how important will Rossi be to the Canucks’ future?

Rossi Looks Ready for a Bigger Role

When Rossi returned from injury late last season, he quickly showed why the Canucks were happy to add him. In his last 25 games, he has produced 20 points while becoming a key part of Vancouver’s power play. That kind of production over a full season will put him in the range of a 60-point center.

What’s interesting is that he did it without getting the kind of five-out-of-five chances you’d expect from a player producing at that level. Towards the end of the season, Rossi was actually playing a few more minutes than Teddy Blueger. That seems hard to believe when you consider what he was coming up with offensively.

This time of year should be different. The Canucks have plenty of reasons to give Rossi a chance to prove he can be their starting center. His chemistry with Brock Boeser was evident, and a line that includes Rossi between Boeser and Jake DeBrusk could give Vancouver what it’s been looking for—a legitimate offensive combination that can create scoring opportunities on a regular basis.

Rossi’s Contract Question Will Finally Come

Of course, nothing in the NHL is ever that simple. Rossi has two years left on his bridge contract before he becomes an eligible free agent. If he takes another step—and all indications are that he might—the Canucks will ultimately face a difficult decision.

The challenge is that Rossi may be more valuable on the ice than on the commercial market. Because he’s so young, some teams may be hesitant to consider him a true high-level center. But anyone who watches him play can see hockey intelligence, skill, and creativity. Those qualities are becoming harder and harder to find.

The best way for Rossi’s market value to reach his true value is simple: let him play a big role, let him produce, and prove he can help the team win. That creates an interesting decision for Vancouver. Are they increasing his value and might explore a trade down the road? Or do they realize they’ve found a player that fits their needs and lock him up before the price rises even further?

What to do in Vancouver?

My guess is that the Canucks should be happy with what they have right now. Rossi is exactly the type of player a rebuilding team is looking for. He’s young enough to develop into the next core, has enough skill to play significant minutes, and is motivated enough to prove he belongs.

If he has a big season, the Canucks will have options. Maybe a team makes an incredible contribution. Maybe Rossi becomes the center the Canucks have been looking for since their last great season. The important thing is not to rush into a decision. The NHL is full of teams that trade good young players right before they become big. The challenge for Vancouver is to make sure Rossi’s value is understood before making any moves.

For now, Canucks fans should enjoy watching him improve. Sometimes the most exciting part of rebuilding isn’t waiting for the next star to arrive. Sometimes you realize that you might already be here.