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 the sides don’t reach an agreement by July 1, Marchessault will enter the open market as a free agent. An original member of the Golden Knights, the 33-year-old winger won the Conn Smythe Trophy last year as the NHL playoffs MVP.
Marchessault signed a six-year contract in January 2018 worth $5 million a year.
“We don’t have a call yet or anything,” Marschessault before participating in the opening day of the World Series of Poker. “They said they were interested to sign me. They have time until June 30 or so.”
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.
At the time, McCrimmon stated, “There’s certainly a real strong willingness from both sides to have real good discussions.” “We are going to focus on that.” Given its track record of making hasty decisions—such as when it sold goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury to the Chicago Blackhawks in July 2021—it would not be shocking if Vegas allowed Marchessault walk. When the Golden Knights acquired Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl ahead of the trade deadline and later awarded Hanifin an eight-year contract worth $7.35 million annually, it appeared as though they were ready to move on. In addition, Marchessault’s contract was up for renewal with the Golden Knights last summer.
“Last summer,” Marchessault remarked. “I indicated that before the season, in the summer, I would prefer to do it. They claimed they weren’t prepared to proceed, and since then, I haven’t had a single conversation all season. I’m not sure. In a sense, you signed a player for six years as an organization, right? We’ll see once you’ve had the whole six years to deal with it. With a total of 13 goals and 25 points during the playoffs, Marchessault guided the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup victory the previous season. The Dallas Stars defeated the Vegas Knights in seven games to end Vegas’ aspirations of a repeat.
The Stars are still playing, leading the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in their best-of-seven Western Conference Final. “I still think us and Dallas were the two best teams in the West and the winner of that series was going to make it to the finals,” Marchessault said. “I don’t think the other teams in the conference were near our two teams. I think Dallas is going to make it to the finals, and personally I think they’re going to win.” Marchessault played for Stars coach Pete DeBoer when he coached the Golden Knights for 2 1/2 seasons ending in 2022. Dallas assistant coaches Steve Spott and Misha Donskov also have been with Vegas. Marchessault said he would love to see those coaches “get a cup and also a guy like Joe Pavelski. Such a great career. He’s done everything but win (the championship). So I would like to see him win a Cup.” Back to top
