Goodbye Marchy: Golden Knights’ all-time leading scorer signs with Predators

By Jack Williams (contact)

Published Monday, July 1, 2024 | 12:22 a.m.

Updated Monday, July 1, 2024 | 8:59 p.m.

Time ran out for the Vegas Golden Knights to re-sign forward Jonathan Marchessault to a new contract, but it didn't take him long to find a new one.

Within minutes of NHL free agency opening Monday, multiple reports confirmed the 33-year-old forward signed a five-year deal with the Nashville Predators worth a $5.5 million annual average value.

The Vegas Golden Knights had nearly two months since the end of the season to strike a deal with their leading scorer but could not come to an agreement.

The terms of his new contract might make it a little harder to swallow for Golden Knights' fans given that he only got a moderate raise.

He arguably earned more with a career year last season.

According to Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon, the sticking point to keeping Marchessault in Vegas was the number of years the forward wanted in a new contract, as he was seeking five more years, which the team was uncomfortable with.

"He's going to be 38 years old in that final season," McCrimmon said.  "Marchy's proved people wrong his whole career, but it wasn't a position that we were comfortable with the five-year term."

The GM said the Golden Knights front office had spoken to Marchessault throughout the entire season about re-signing and after the season had ended. Marchessault was the only UFA Vegas spoke to about re-signing. 

McCrimmon felt like there was a pathway to re-signing Marchessault on Thursday, but the next day things had changed due to the contract length request. 

Marchessault recorded 42 goals and 27 assists in 82 games last season for a Golden Knights-leading 69 points. He also won the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the NHL Playoffs. He recorded 13 goals and 12 assists in last year's postseason, helping Vegas to a Stanley Cup Championship.

Marchessault made it clear that he did not want to leave Vegas. He said wanted to be “a Golden Knight for life” and declared Vegas was “home” for his wife and four children. He was one of just five of the original members of the 2017 expansion draft who were still with the Golden Knights.

After it was announced that he was signing with the Nashville Predators, Marchessault made an appearance on TSN and said "I don’t think they tried their best to keep me, but it’s part of the business.” McCrimmon responded to the comment saying that couldn't be further from the truth. 

"Marchy is a fiery guy, so he would perhaps the feel that way," McCrimmon said. "I think if anybody that knows me, knows Marchy and our time together this organization, we have a lot of value and respect for each other. I'd disagree with that comment. 

There are now only three “original misfits” remaining: William Karlsson, Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore.

Marchessault wasn't the only Vegas player to sign with another team as all six of its free agents will relocate next season. Those unrestricted free agents were William Carrier (Carolina), Anthony Mantha (Calgary), Chandler Stephenson (Seattle), Michael Amadio (Ottawa) and Alec Martinez (Chicago).

With all of the UFAs off the books, Vegas has an estimated $8.17 million in cap space. Multiple reports on Sunday indicated that the Golden Knights may use some of it to make a run at superstar Tampa Bay Lightning UFA Steven Stamkos, but he's also now in Nashville.

The Predators signed Stamkos to a four-year deal worth an $8 million annual average value. Vegas ended up letting all six of its UFAs go. It did sign Toronto goalie Ilya Samsonov; Detroit forward Zach Aston-Reese and Philadelphia Flyers forward Tanner Laczynski. 

The top of the Golden Knights' wish list is now a backup goalie for Adin Hill after shipping Logan Thompson to the Capitals in a trade this weekend.

Vegas became bumped up against the cap after a trio of trade-deadline deals last year that included acquiring defenseman Noah Hanifin, already extended on a new eight-year contract with more than a $7 million average annual salary, and forward Tomas Hertl, who's set to make more than $8 million for the next six seasons.

Marchessault is a major loss for the Golden Knights. He left a resounding impact on and off the ice, as seen through his stats and the way his teammates and coaches spoke of him. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Golden Knights not just in Las Vegas, but in the league.

McCrimmon said at the NHL Draft on Saturday that there was a lot of movement to be expected among the Golden Knights’ forwards this offseason.

"Days like this are tough for fans. I know our players better than our fans do," McCrimmon said. "I've got relationships with each of these guys. You have to respect their rights as unrestricted free agents. We didn't trade these players. We tried to retain them... We weren't after huge hometown discounts or anything like that. I think we made fair, reasonable offers, and I think they'd say the same." 

"They have a chance to do something different and they chose to do that." 

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