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NHL Draft 2020: 3 biggest steals of round one

By Mike Zawisza

(Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images) /
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Marco Rossi
OSHAWA, ON – MARCH 1: Marco Rossi #23 of the Ottawa 67’s skates during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on March 1, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /

3. Marco Rossi (C) — Minnesota Wild

With the Red Wings and Sabres going a bit off the board to select Lucas Raymond and Jack Quinn respectively, the Jets were gifted the opportunity to grab Rossi at ninth overall.

Now, you might say, “how can a top-10 pick be a steal?” and quite honestly it’s because Rossi should have been a top-five pick had it not been for his small frame.

At 5-foot-9, Rossi is quite small. However, after watching players like Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson tear through the playoffs in recent years, there should be no doubting Rossi simply because of his size.

Wracking up an absurd 120 points in just 56 games in his second season for the Ottawa 67s, Rossi’s playmaking ability, skill and skating ability are off the charts.

The Wild are quite honestly starved for high-end talent in their prospect pool and need an injection of skill into their NHL lineup. Rossi may be ready to play in the NHL next season, but even if he isn’t the Wild aren’t ready to compete for anything this season anyway. Either way, getting a player with this level of scoring acumen at this spot should have Wild fans excited for the future.

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