Could Jonathan Marchessault Be On the Way Out?
Jeff Marek of Sportsnet joined SiriusXM NHL Network Radio with Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick, and when asked in regards to the Vegas Golden Knights and Jonathan Marchessault, Marek stated that GM Kelly McCrimmon can have tough decisions to make this summer.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
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Scott Laughlin: “I brought this up a little bit bit earlier, too, Jeff, but Vegas has decisions to make themselves, they usually should not repeating his Cup champions. And that all the time hurts because that’s a team that’s been used to winning from the moment that they were born and what a remarkable story they were and proceed to be. That being said they’ve got some decisions, and also you wonder about Jonathan Marchessault particularly,
So here’s a 33-year-old guy who has been such a fan favourite and such a giant a part of that team on and off the ice. He’s 33. He could hit the market July 1, and he’s coming off a 42-goal season by which he played in every game, which is critical for a man getting a little bit bit older. So, where does Vegas go? What do you’re thinking that with Marchessault? Because it is a franchise in Vegas, as we’ve all the time acknowledged, right, Jeff that has no problem making some tough decisions asking some beloved player to go away.”
Jeff Marek: “And this shall be a tricky one as well. I mean, that is one among the unique misfits. That is probably the most beloved players within the albeit transient history of the Vegas Golden Knights but you’re right there there’s no sentimentality here you understand there’s there’s no loyalty. Have a look at the Marc-Andre Fleury thing because he thought that will bring us closer to the Stanley Cup and you understand, ultimately they were proven right.
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I feel the hang-up here goes to be term. I feel that Kelly McCrimmon, although, such as you’re right, Jonathan Marchessault remains to be playing at the peak of his powers, he has an amazing season, continues to perform, continues to excel, but much like every team, you understand, aging curves are real and when players fall off, they fall off quickly. And the drop could be sudden, and although Jonathan Marchessault remains to be acting at a really, very high level, there’s no guarantee that’s going to proceed in case you signed a longer-term contract.
So I mean, we’re looking somewhere between I don’t know five to 6 to seven years. I don’t think he’s gonna get eight out of the Vegas Golden Knights yr. I feel that’s going to be the hang up here. I’m sure they’d like to have him back at not only the fitting price, but in addition the fitting term.
I also do wonder and I feel all of us do about Chandler Stephenson and by the best way, on Marchessault, so should he hit the market, I mean, take your pick what number of 25 teams could be interested by Jonathan Marchessault? In order that might be something that all of us follow on July 1.
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I feel there’s a call to make on Chandler Stephenson here as well. Are they going to give you the option to accommodate I mean, that’s among the best trades George McPhee ever made. Yeah, help them win a Stanley Cup. I mean, there’s going to be decisions there William Carrier as well, who for the primary time in could be the only time in his profession is ready now to essentially set himself up financially for all times. So I’m wondering what happens there but you’re right, like there’s big decisions here for Kelly McCrimmon.
And the Vegas Golden Knights and like, look, that is what Vegas stuff like Vegas is the one team that has, I should say the one team but essentially the most obvious team that discovered that, you understand, throughout the season, you’ll be able to mess up your salary cap as much as you would like so long as you’re taking the offseason and clean it up. That’s what Vegas does like you understand what, we’re gonna mess this room up pretty good and it doesn’t matter because we’ll take the summer we’ll get a clean up or cap situation. We’re gonna break eggs along the method to make it omelet, after which in the summertime, the cap situation is gonna get all cleared up.
This yr has latest wrinkles in it because there are emotional ties to players like Jonathan Marchessault. Tough decisions on Stephenson and Carrier, but you’re right it is a team that and I all the time use this as a compliment although there are people in Vegas that basically don’t like once I say this, it is a team that’s ruthless about winning.
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Feelings and emotions don’t get in the best way of Kelly McCrimmon making decisions and that’s why they’re so successful. And that’s why we figure Vegas is gonna run something back next yr that you understand now has a side dish of annoyance. And it is a team that’s going to be pissed off that they didn’t add that they weren’t capable of repeat.
And I feel they’re going to take that frustration out on the league next summer, next yr, fairly, they usually’re going to finally have an entire summer to rest up all their players.”
