Fantasy Summary
Under-sized center with great hands, super stick-handling and great positioning.
Observations
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June 2023 – Rossi remains one of the top blue-chip prospects in the world but is still getting comfortable with life in the NHL. During the 2022-23 NHL season, Rossi skated in 19 games, posting only one assist. However, he posted 16 goals and 35 assists for 51 points in only 53 games for the Iowa Wild of the AHL. With his high-end playmaking ability, Rossi projects to be a top-line center and can be expected to be a top-six forward starting in the 2023-24 season for the Minnesota Wild. Nathan Leblanc
June 2022 – Rossi had a smooth transition into the professional game for his first full season. Despite battling with a lack of playing time due to illness and the OHL shutdown in the 20-21 season, Rossi excelled in the AHL for the Iowa Wild. Rossi played in 63 games notching 18 goals and 35 assists highlighting his playmaking capabilities. The strong season even earned him a two-game call-up for a strong Minnesota Wild team, giving him a taste of what the future brings. Expect Rossi to get a strong look in training camp during the 22-23 NHL season where he is expected to start contributing at the NHL level immediately. Nathan Leblanc
February 2021 – Rossi is dealing with complications from COVID-19, which he had in November, and has returned to Austria. Per Michael Russo, he is scheduled to return to Minnesota in March. Sam Happi
October 2020 – Rossi was drafted ninth overall by the Wild. Rossi fell a bit further than expected. He will push for an NHL job immediately. The Wild may have found their future number one center here. Jokke Nevalainen
June 2020 – With the NHL Entry Draft now appearing to be months away, it will be extremely fascinating to track where the reigning CHL point leader decides to play early next season. The OHL is likely to follow what the NHL does, meaning there may not be any CHL hockey until late fall or early winter. Rossi is already in a position of being too good for junior. Perhaps he returns to the Swiss league to skate with his former club team GC Küsnacht Lions. Perhaps he finds a home in the SHL or Liiga. Perhaps he waits it out. You know he’ll try to find a way to play hockey sooner rather than later. And those extra games could end up impacting his draft stock as well. Cam Robinson
February 2020 – What a draft-eligible season the Ottawa 67s star is having. He currently leads the entire OHL and is tied for the CHL point lead with 99 in just 46 contests. The 5’9 centre has been explosive all year – commanding attention from scouts not only for his offensive play but defensively as well. He has firmly entrenched himself amongst the top-10 prospects in this 2020 class, but likely the top five. Cam Robinson
August 2019 – Last season, Rossi played in his first full season in North America for the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. In 53 games played, the Austrian center posted 29 goals and 36 assists. In addition to this point totals during the regular season, he managed to muster up 22 points during the OHL playoffs. The 17-year-old had a great first season and if he can outproduce his totals from last season then he could wind up being drafted in the top 10. At the moment, quite a few analysts project Rossi to go in the top 15. When you watch Rossi play, you will see how well positioned Rossi is. He always seems to be in the right spot and is ready to do damage. Rossi plays along the boards and is always working to secure the puck. He has great hands and can be a pretty crafty stick-handler. With Rossi’s skill-set and his offensive production in his first season in the OHL, he will be highly coveted at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Rossi projects to be a top-six center and has the potential to be a first line center. Josh Tessler
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