Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault, who scored a career-high 42 goals this season, said Tuesday he has not spoken with the Golden Knights about a new contract.
If there’s no agreement by July 1st, Marchessault will become a free agent. A key player for the Golden Knights, the 33-year-old winger, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL playoffs MVP last year, signed a six-year contract in January 2018 worth $5 million annually. Marchessault mentioned that there hasn’t been any communication yet, but the team expressed interest in re-signing him before June 30th.
The Golden Knights did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but general manager Kelly McCrimmon said after the season he valued Marchessault for what he’s done on and off the ice.
Marchessault, who came within one goal of tying William Karlsson’s single-season franchise record, is one of the team’s more vocal leaders.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault plays poker during the $5,000 Champions Reunion No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout event at the World Series of Poker, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
“There’s a strong willingness from both sides to engage in fruitful discussions,” McCrimmon stated, expressing a desire for productive negotiations. However, given Vegas’ tendency to swiftly move on, exemplified by trading Marc-Andre Fleury to the Blackhawks in 2021, it wouldn’t be surprising if they let Marchessault go. The team’s actions, such as acquiring Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin before the trade deadline and subsequently signing Hanifin to a long-term contract, suggest they may be preparing for a future without Marchessault. Despite Marchessault’s desire to discuss a contract extension last summer, the team did not engage in talks during the season. Marchessault, who led the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup title last year, believes his team and the Dallas Stars were the strongest in the Western Conference, with the Stars currently leading in the playoffs. He predicts that Dallas will make it to the finals and potentially win.
