Jonathan Marchessault hasn’t received a contract offer from the Vegas Golden Knights, and his frustration is growing due to the team’s apparent lack of interest. As the likelihood of him entering free agency increases, it’s interesting to consider which teams might pursue him and what kind of deal he could command.
Marchessault is eager to return to the Golden Knights next season, but the team’s current cap limitations make it difficult to retain many of their pending free agents. Given his impressive performance over the past seven seasons in Vegas, he certainly deserves a raise, though it may have to come from another team.
Montreal Canadiens
The hometown connection often plays a significant role in free agency for aging NHL players. Born in Cap-Rouge, Quebec, Marchessault has been linked to the Montreal Canadiens for this reason, though it’s unclear if there is genuine mutual interest or if it’s merely speculation.
While joining the Montreal Canadiens might not be the best move for Marchessault competitively, it would certainly be exciting to watch. The Canadiens have a lot of young offensive talent like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Lane Hutson. Adding Marchessault as a veteran scoring presence could aid their development and generate plenty of highlight-reel moments, giving fans a homegrown player to rally behind.
Detroit Red Wings
If Marchessault is going to go back to the Atlantic Division, the Detroit Red Wings make much more sense.
The Red Wings have a history of signing veteran talent to enhance their offense, such as the two-year deal for 34-year-old David Perron in 2022 and winning the Patrick Kane sweepstakes in November 2023. The 2023-24 season demonstrated that GM Steve Yzerman is no longer patient with the rebuilding process. If they aim to add another Stanley Cup champion to their rising young team, Marchessault could be an ideal fit.
With Perron entering free agency at age 36 following a decline in offensive production, the Red Wings will need another top-six winger. Even if Perron re-signs with Detroit, it will likely be in a reduced role. Kane’s future is also uncertain, despite his effective performance on the second line and power play. If neither stays, the Red Wings can’t afford to regress.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes have already experienced significant changes after parting ways with GM Don Waddell. With 13 free agents to address this summer, including Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas, Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce, more changes are likely on the horizon.
Given the Hurricanes’ cap limitations, Marchessault would likely receive a contract similar to what he might get from the Golden Knights, though that offer doesn’t appear to be on the table from Kelly McCrimmon at the moment. The Hurricanes’ core has had several chances to advance further in the playoffs, and adding a seasoned playoff performer like Marchessault could provide the edge they need.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Knights have a history of making unemotional management decisions, such as not compromising their cap structure to retain fan favorites like Marc-André Fleury and Reilly Smith. However, letting their Conn Smythe Trophy winner leave would be an exceptionally ruthless move. It’s unclear how the team feels about the lack of communication between management and Marchessault, but as a key leader, his departure would significantly impact the team’s culture. Regardless of his future, Marchessault has already established himself as a franchise legend, being an original Misfit and a Stanley Cup champion, and will always be remembered as a Golden Knight.
