Ranking the top 31 prospects in the 2020 NHL Draft: 4. Marco Rossi

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Marco Rossi (C), Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

The first prospect outside the solidified top three, Rossi has been ranked as high as 9 by scouting networks and as low as 4. This tier is littered by great prospects, but Rossi brings so many facets to his game, which propels him to the fourth spot.

Despite being a late birthday (2001), his draft position shouldn’t be impacted by his age, as he produced at an historic clip last season when he was just 18.

With Ottawa needing a legitimate number one center, Rossi seems like an ideal fit and could take the ice with the Senators as early as next season. If Ottawa happens to get Byfield, they may lean to taking a winger like Raymond, Perfetti or Holtz if the need for a center isn’t as pronounced. Yet they could take the best player available if it happens to be Rossi.

Other than Lafreniere, Rossi may be the next prospect who is the most NHL ready, even more so than the highly regarded Byfield and Stützle. Despite being on the shorter side at 5’9″, Rossi has a very sturdy lower body and is hard to knock off the puck, which makes his size acceptable for the NHL game.

OSHAWA, ON – JANUARY 19: Marco Rossi #23 of the Ottawa 67’s plays the puck during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 19, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /

2019-2020 Season Recap

2019-2020 Stats

GP: 56 G: 39 A: 81 P: 120 +/-: 69

Rossi led all CHL skaters in assists and points, producing crazy numbers that have rarely been seen for draft eligible forwards. Coming in second among all draft eligible forwards in points per game, finishing with 2.14, while Lafreniere had a sliver more with 2.15, Rossi produced at as elite a rate as anyone in this years draft.

Being the star player on the best team in the CHL is no small accomplishment, especially when you lead the team by 30 points, while he had a lot of talent on his team, Rossi carried the team most nights and drives the play whenever he is on the ice.

Not having the chance as many prospects in the top 10 of representing his country during the season, having to do with the fact that Austria isn’t exactly a hockey super nation. While Austria did compete in the World Junior Championships in Division 1A, Rossi didn’t attend and opted to stay with the 67’s. Austria did win the tournament, so now if the Austrian doesn’t crack an NHL roster he can play in the top division next season.

Rossi has the most points out of any player in their draft year since the 2015 season, which contained Dylan Strome, Mitch Marner and a generational talent in Connor McDavid. McDavid was the only one to beat Rossi in points per game with 2.55, which isn’t a realistic measuring stick since the Edmonton Oilers star is one of the best talents in NHL history.

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) /

Strengths

Hockey Sense

Rossi plays with so much poise when he is on the ice, it seems like the game slows down for him like it does for many special players. He rarely turns the puck over in the offensive zone, always waiting for the best opportunity to find his teammates.

While Rossi does many things well, this is the facet of his game which shines the most, he always finds himself in good positions, and the puck just tends to follow him around the ice.

His hockey sense isn’t just on display on the offensive side, he is plenty capable in his defensive responsibilities as well. He is a master at breaking out his own end whether skating it out or making a nice first pass, while it will get tougher in the pros, expect Rossi to be solid in his own end at the NHL level too, also being no slouch in the face-off circle either.

A common sight when watching Rossi is his ability to strip opposing players, here on the back check he strips the Hamilton Bulldogs forward and quickly turns the play the other way for a chance.

Rossi is one of/if not the best player in the draft at completing passes, he rarely forces a pass through tight windows and usually waits for the perfect chance to deliver one. In the clip below Rossi doesn’t force the pass through the sliding defender and patiently side steps the defenceman to get a clear pass to his teammate for the goal.

Exceptional on the power play as well, due to his great poise with the puck coupled with his next level hockey sense.

Passing

Finishing with a crazy 81 assists this season, there is no doubting Rossi is one of the premier passers in this years draft.

While Rossi makes many good passes, he makes it look so easy at points that the plays he makes are rarely highlight worthy, he just consistently makes the right plays.

A dynamo on the power play, Rossi finished with 38 points with the man advantage primarily due his great vision which allows him to find his teammates for high quality scoring chances.

Rossi’s head is up before the puck even gets to him in this play, where he reacts and quickly one times it right onto his teammates stick for the beautiful assist.

From his position on the half wall on the power play, Rossi either sets up his defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer, or looks to fire a cross seam pass for a chance. Just by a flick of the wrist below, Rossi is able to get the puck to his teammate at lightning speed for the goal.

While Rossi’s skating isn’t mentioned as high as his hockey sense and passing, his agility and balance while skating, especially with the puck is impressive as well.

HAMILTON, ON – JANUARY 16: Marco Rossi #23 of Team Red skates during the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game against Team White at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Weaknesses

Size

Rossi is one of the prospects in the draft who has little to no flaws in his game. While his size shouldn’t hinder him much in the NHL because of his thick lower body, it still leaves some to be desired.

Being just 5’9″, there could be worries about Rossi being able to stay healthy with the bigger and stronger players in the NHL, primarily concussion problems could arise, from being hit in the head more due to his height.

Next. Ranking the top 31 prospects in the 2020 NHL Draft: 3. Quinton Byfield. dark

If injury issues never surface height shouldn’t be a problem because Rossi uses his low center of gravity so well below the goal line to keep possession of the puck. There has been comparisons to Sidney Crosby because of the way he can work on his edges, and use his thick lower body to fend off defenders.

In terms of gameplay, Rossi’s size shouldn’t be an issue and he has the skillset to make it work, but just for potential injury concerns it is worth noting.

OSHAWA, ON – JANUARY 19: Marco Rossi #23 of the Ottawa 67’s carries the puck past Philip Tomasino #26 of the Oshawa Generals during an OHL game at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 19, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /

How does Rossi fit in Ottawa?

Without predicting who Ottawa selects at third because its not an exact science, we will look at how Rossi fits with the current roster.

Many think Rossi is already NHL ready, and the only way he might not see the big league in his first season is because of the pandemic.

Marco Rossi is unequivocally the second-most NHL ready player in the 2020 crop.

The main reason he won't be in the NHL next year is that the season likely won't begin until 2021 and he'll be better served playing in Europe starting in September
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) June 18, 2020

He may be in Europe to develop his skills, and could be playing next season in Switzerland even before the NHL Draft starts.

While Ottawa is deep down the middle, they don’t have a surefire top line center as of now, with Josh Norris improving significantly last season he adds value to the top six but isn’t on the same level as Rossi. More of the same with Colin White and Chris Tierney who are more suited to be occupying roles in the middle six, but more likely being third liners. While Logan Brown is in a flux among many fans and most likely the organization, he will have to prove himself next year. With the depth at center increasing while Ottawa adds more young studs , Browns situation will become more dire.

Ottawa Senators

On the power play Rossi would be a great fit for Ottawa, he can patrol the half wall, with Chabot being in the Noel Hoefenmayer role which he relied on in junior. Having Duclair on the other side of the ice, Drake Batherson in position at the goal line to distribute and Brady Tkachuk creating havoc in front of the net, would have the looks of a very strong power play in the future for Ottawa.

With Rossi living in Ottawa for the last two seasons, he would be a seamless fit both on and off the ice for the Senators.

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