With the Montreal Canadiens trending toward a playoff berth, the upcoming offseason presents a prime opportunity to bolster their roster.
Over on PuckPedia, fans have been getting creative using the site’s PuckGM trade simulator — and one intriguing fan-generated proposal has Montreal swinging a deal for Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi.
Canadiens acquire:
Marco Rossi
Proposed Trade
To Minnesota Wild:
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Owen Beck – A two-way center with top-6 upside, known for his defensive game and faceoff prowess.
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Kirby Dach – Former 3rd overall pick with size and skill, still just 24, but recovering from injury.
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2025 1st-round pick (via Calgary) – Could be a mid-to-high pick depending on Calgary’s season.
To Montreal Canadiens:
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Marco Rossi – A 60-point player already this season, former 9th overall pick, dynamic offensive center.
The Montreal Canadiens would land Marco Rossi, a 23-year-old pending RFA and former ninth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Rossi is enjoying a breakout year with the Minnesota Wild, notching 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points in 78 games—all career highs—while playing a key offensive role.
In exchange, the Canadiens would send a 2025 first-round pick (via Calgary) and two forwards to Minnesota. One of those pieces is Owen Beck, a 21-year-old who projects as a reliable third-line center. Beck has appeared in 12 games for Montreal this season, registering one assist. While still early in his NHL journey, he’s considered a strong two-way prospect.
The more impactful piece heading to Minnesota in the proposed deal would be Kirby Dach, who could help fill the offensive gap left by Rossi—especially with Rossi due for a sizable contract extension. Dach, still just 24, is under contract for one more year on a four-year, $13.45 million deal, and will remain a restricted free agent when it expires.
While Dach’s 2024-25 season was cut short due to surgery, he showed promise when healthy, tallying 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 57 games. If he can stay on the ice, he has the tools to be a top-six forward and a core piece for the Wild moving forward.
Analyst Urges Canadiens to Acquire Rossi
With the Wild facing salary cap pressure, Marco Rossi’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, especially as he’s due for a significant contract extension.
NHL analyst Russ Cohen of The Hockey News has suggested that the Canadiens should make a serious push to acquire Rossi this offseason, seeing him as a strong fit for Montreal’s young core and long-term plans.
“The Montreal Canadiens need help down the middle,” wrote The Hockey News analyst Russ Cohen. “The Minnesota Wild seem to prefer bigger-bodied players—that’s the impression I’ve gotten from GM Bill Guerin… Montreal should look to acquire Marco Rossi.”
Cohen went on to say that the Canadiens have the assets to make a compelling offer. “They can build a package around picks and a top prospect. Rossi fits what they’re missing—he’s not afraid to battle in the tough areas and brings the kind of skill and grit they need at center. Instead of overpaying for a big-name free agent, go get a younger player who’s already proving his value.”
Whether or not the Wild will actually move Rossi remains to be seen. With his breakout season and value on the rise, Minnesota may prefer to find a way to keep him long-term. However, their cap situation and depth at center could make them more open to listening to offers—especially if a team like Montreal comes calling with the right combination of young talent and future assets.
Canadiens Battling for Playoff Spot
Montreal appears on track to end its playoff drought this season.
Entering play on April 9, the Canadiens held a 39-30-9 record and sat eight points ahead of the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot. They’ve gone 6-3-1 over their last 10 games, and head coach Martin St. Louis is encouraged by the team’s strong form.
“Our collective game is so strong,” St. Louis said. “You have individual moments within a game, but when our five guys are doing what they’re supposed to do, we’re hard to play against. Even if you’re far from the puck, we know where you’re going and what your job is. I’ve probably said, ‘What’s next?’ 150 times—but that’s the point. You know your job, you know where the puck is going, and where everyone else is supposed to be, offensively and defensively. When we play that way, we’re tough to beat.”
If they stay the course, the Canadiens will return to the postseason for the first time since their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021
