NHL Rumors: Former NHLer speculates Jonathan Marchessault's time in Sin City will end after the season

By kuljitparmar13

Modified Apr 18, 2024 05:55 GMT

Former NHL player Matt Murley has suggested the era of Jonathan Marchessault with the Vegas Golden Knights may be over. In a recent episode of the Spittin Chiclets podcast, Murley said it looked all but certain that Marchessault's future lay elsewhere. He will be an unrestricted free agent come the end of the season and there are no reports of a new deal yet.

Adding to the speculation is the fact that the Vegas Golden Knights have made certain big money acquisitions already, thereby limiting the cap space for Marchessault's extension. They signed Tomas Hertl on a eight-year, $65.1 million contract before the trade deadline. Defenseman Noah Hanifin also recently signed an eight-year extension worth $58.8 million.

Murley believes these roster decisions by the Golden Knights management leaves them with insufficient cap space for Marchessault. He said:

"I just think it means that Marchessault is probably gone now .... I just don't see how there's any room left to take care of him. I was kind of disappointed because I really liked Marchy in Vegas. I feel like he's one of the Original Nisfits and it looks like they're getting rid of another one."

Jonathan Marchessault signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017/18. He became a consistent 20-goal scorer for his team barring 2020-21, and recorded over 40 points in all seven seasons.

The 33-year old has been a stellar performer for the Las Vegas-based franchise, contributing 192 goals and 225 assists in the regular season since 2017. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023, awarded to the most valuable player during the postseason.

Jonathan Marchessault's son steals the show during the intermission affair

On March 9, the Vegas Golden Knights hosted the Detroit Red Wings. During the first intermission, the children of the players put on a show including Marchessault's five-year-old son who was playing with eight-year-olds on ice.

In an interview with NHLPA staff, Jonathan Marchessault said the following:

“I think he did well, he’s only five and he’s playing with eight-year-olds out here, so I think he follows the pace well. He’s doing good, proud of him.”

The Las Vegas Golden Knights have advanced to the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs tournament once again. Their playoff opponents are yet to be decided.