:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73435258/2151120160.0.jpg)
At this time a year ago, Vegas Golden Knights RW Jonathan Marchessault got himself etched in hockey history. He helped the Golden Knights capture their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history, a history that had only spanned six seasons at the time. Marchessault was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP for 2023. He had reached the pinnacle of hockey. Now, Marchessault may be looking for a new team. Below we’ll go over potential fits in free agency for Marchessault this offseason.
2024 NHL Free Agency Predictions: Jonathan Marchessault
New Jersey Devils
This is more of a pipe dream than anything else for a Devils fan. Marchessault would be a perfect fit for New Jersey’s young core. The Devils have more of a need for a center to fit into the middle-six. But if Sheldon Keefe is fine going with Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes and Erik Haula down the middle, Marchessault could be a great add. We know the Devils need more of a veteran presence, someone to hold the kids accountable while setting the tone. Marchessault brings speed, tenacity and veteran leadership. He also hasn’t lost a step.
Marchessault is coming off a career-high 42 goals for Vegas this past season. He may be 33 years old but Marchessault was a bit of a late-bloomer. He’s only really played eight full seasons in the NHL. So age shouldn’t be too much of a concern. The Devils have some cap to add Marchessault at around $5-6 million per season. It really only works if it’s a three-year deal or shorter. But the idea of Marchessault on a line with Jack Hughes feels very appealing. Marchessault can do the dirty work and provide a bit of protection for Hughes. It feels unlikely this marriage will happen but one can dream.
Montreal Canadiens
This would sort of be a homecoming for Marchessault, who is from Cap-Rouge, Quebec — which is near Quebec City. It’s not far from Montreal, so that could be appealing to Marchessault late in his career. Oddly enough the Habs don’t have a ton of cap space but that’s because of Carey Price’s contract. If Montreal can make a few moves to clear cap, Marchessault could be an option on a 3- or 4-year deal. The Canadiens are still on the outside of the playoff picture in the East but Marchessault could change that. He wouldn’t be a bad second-line option but the Habs also have a lot of players similar to March. Cole Caufield, Brendan Gallagher, Nick Suzuki and Rafael Harvey-Pinard are all undersized forwards. Still, Marchessault is the type of veteran goal-scorer Montreal needs to start making the jump into contention.
New York Rangers
The Rangers will be under a cap crunch after the 2024-25 season depending on what happens with Igor Shesterkin’s next contract. But Marchessault is exactly the type of forward they were missing in the playoffs. Scoring depth became an issue at even strength and Marchessault would bring some of that, plus speed and veteran leadership. The Rangers can’t really wait for Kaapo Kakko or Alexis Lafreniere to figure it out. So Marchessault could be brought in for the next 2-3 seasons to fit into the Cup contending window for New York. It may be a tough sell given the Rangers’ cap situation and playing in New York, where your dollar isn’t going as far as it would elsewhere. But if Marchessault wants to win, why not join the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners?