The NHL rumor mill is buzzing, and a familiar name to Quebec hockey fans is right in the middle of it: Jonathan Marchessault. Just one year into a five-year, $27.5 million ($5 million AAV) contract signed last summer with the Nashville Predators, reports are surfacing that the 34-year-old winger is open to a move, and the Montreal Canadiens are once again a team of interest. This isn’t just smoke; there’s a history here and legitimate reasons why both sides might explore this, but it’s far from a simple transaction.
Diving Deeper: Marchessault’s Situation and the Canadiens’ Angle
The Predators’ 2024-2025 campaign didn’t go as planned, finishing a disappointing 28th overall. For a veteran competitor like Marchessault, who hoisted the Conn Smythe Trophy with Vegas, this undoubtedly stings. His production, while not catastrophic, did see a dip from his previous levels. Last offseason, the Canadiens were reportedly strong contenders for Marchessault’s services. Habs insider Marc Dumont has noted that Montreal was in the mix, offering a three-year deal, but Marchessault ultimately opted for the security of Nashville’s five-year offer. Now, Dumont suggests the Cap-Rouge native might welcome a trade to his home province.
However, Dumont also rightly points out a significant hurdle: would the Canadiens, a team still carefully managing its rebuild and cap space, be willing to take on the remaining four years of that $5 million AAV contract for a player in his mid-thirties? It seems unlikely without some significant concessions from Nashville.
Expert Insight: The Roadblocks and Potential Pathways
From my perspective, several factors complicate a Marchessault-to-Montreal scenario. Firstly, his age and the term remaining on his deal are substantial. While his skill set – a tenacious, goal-scoring winger – is valuable, committing that kind of cap hit for that length of time to a player who will be 38 by the contract’s end is a significant risk for a Canadiens team focused on long-term contention.
Secondly, Marchessault possesses a 15-team no-trade list. While one would assume Montreal wouldn’t be on it, given his Quebec roots and previous interest, it still limits Nashville’s potential trading partners and leverage.
So, how could this actually work? The Predators would almost certainly need to retain salary – potentially up to the maximum 50%. This would bring Marchessault’s cap hit down to a more palatable $2.5 million for the Canadiens. Even then, Nashville might need to include a sweetener, perhaps a mid-round draft pick, to incentivize Montreal to absorb the contract, even at a reduced rate. If the Predators are truly looking to shed cap space and pivot their roster, eating some salary and parting with a pick to facilitate a Marchessault trade might be their most viable path. For the Canadiens, a reduced-AAV Marchessault could provide valuable secondary scoring and veteran leadership, but the price in assets (even with retention) and the remaining term would have to align perfectly with Kent Hughes’ long-term vision. It’s a fascinating chess match, and the “Jonathan Marchessault rumors” will be one to watch as the offseason heats up.
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