The Wild Rookies Are Alright

The Minnesota Wild team has two rookie players this season. Technically, Marco Rossi and Brock Faber each played with the team for a stint last year, but they are both expected to play a full season at the NHL level this year. Rossi played 19 games with Minnesota last season but only managed to produce one assist. On the other hand, Faber was very successful in helping the Wild during their playoff run. But how are they doing during preseason, and can it translate into the regular season?

Rossi has put in the work

Last season was a disappointment for Rossi and all of his fans. After 19 games and only 1 assist to show for it, Rossi was sent down to play with the Iowa Wild. Bill Guerin told Rossi that he needed to toughen up his game. Rossi took his demotion to the AHL as motivation to step up his game. In Iowa, he ended up as almost a point-per-game player, with 51 points (16 goals and 35 assists) in 53 games. 

Rossi stayed in Minnesota over the summer and worked on putting on muscle and changing his skating stride. That work has shown, especially in the preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks on September 30. He was strong on the puck and wasn’t as easily pushed around as he was during last year’s preseason.

Even the play shown below seemed like a different Rossi. He battles behind the net and lifts the Chicago player’s stick to steal it away—a quick snap out front to Pat Maroon, who buries it in the net. Watching Rossi behind the net, he’s strong on his skates and not easily tipped over. He can make plays and battle against the opponent using the muscle he put on over the summer. There is no hesitation as he chases the opponent to force a turnover.

Rossi also showed his skills during the last preseason game against the Dallas Stars on October 7. Linemate Marcus Foligno passes him the puck from the boards, and Rossi doesn’t hesitate to shoot a one-timer.

Last preseason, Rossi was a point leader. He scored 9 points (2 goals and 7 assists) during the 5 preseason games. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate to the regular season. This season, Rossi played 4 games during the preseason and came away with 1 goal and 1 assist. While that might seem like a downgrade, it is setting a better precedent for Rossi’s season.

Stats aren’t all that hockey is about. Rossi looks like a different player this season. He’s been strong on the puck and looks like a player ready for the NHL. The real test will start next week, but if Rossi plays with Foligno and Freddy Gaudreau the same way he did during the game against the Dallas Stars, he’s set himself up for success.

Faber is ready, despite any mistakes

Faber has looked NHL-ready since he first stepped foot on the ice with the Minnesota Wild. While he played third pairing during the postseason last year, Faber wasn’t on the ice for any points scored against the Wild. Even with limited ice time, it is still an impressive feat.

During this preseason, Faber has played 3 games with 2 assists. He didn’t have any giveaways, and during the game against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 5, he logged the most time on the ice of the entire team with 26:31 minutes. He even had a chance to deny Connor Bedard with a good sweep.

One of the most impressive things during this preseason is that Faber has only made a few mistakes. Playing alongside Jonas Brodin means that Faber can make a mistake or two because Brodin will cover for him. But Faber also makes up for his own mistakes. He makes a bad pass that is disrupted by a Stars player who starts out on a breakaway. Faber is able to put on the jets and poke-check the puck away just in time.

Faber can lean on Brodin if he needs to, but it doesn’t appear that he’ll need much support. Judging by his preseason, he is ready for the grind of a full season.