Canada Sport News

Marchessault reveals details of unsuccessful contract negotiations with Golden Knights
  • news, Womens Hockey
    •

    Marchessault reveals details of unsuccessful contract negotiations with Golden Knights

    Jonathan Marchessault has revealed more about his final discussions with the Vegas Golden Knights before the two sides parted ways in July.

    In an appearance on The Cam and Strick Podcast released Monday night, Marchessault said he picked up the phone himself in the final days before free agency and called Golden Knights management after his agent, Pat Brisson, was unable to land an extension.

    “In Vegas, I called the GM (Kelly McCrimmon) on Friday, I called the president (George McPhee) on Saturday, I’m like, ‘What’s going on, what do you guys want to do? I need to know, are you guys actually letting me go for real?’ Then, when Sunday showed up, nothing was budging,” Marchessault said, adding that he was asking for a four-year contract but the Golden Knights were offering three.

    32 Thoughts: The Podcast


    32 Thoughts: The Podcast with Kyle Bukauskas and NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman takes a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews around the hockey world.

    Latest episodes

    Marchessault ultimately joined the Predators on a five-year, $27.5-million contract, the same day Steven Stamkos also signed by Nashville.

    The 33-year-old was an original Golden Knight and is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals and points. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023 while helping lead Vegas to a Stanley Cup victory.

    The Golden Knights have been a perennial contender since joining the NHL in 2017 but that aggressiveness has meant fan-favourite players Marc-Andre Fleury, Nate Schmidt, Alex Tuch and Reilly Smith have been traded away. Now departed from Vegas himself, Marchessault said the club’s lack of loyalty is necessary but still difficult to deal with as a player.

    “There’s definitely no loyalty but, at the same time, you’re there to win. I don’t mind that mindset, personally,” Marchessault said. “Obviously, I’m disappointed that I left. I didn’t have any real things to consider and that’s what disappointed me. I thought I had done good enough in the past seven years for them that I could deserve what I deserved. I was not asking for something outrageous, I was not trying to steal the bank or anything.

    “But it’s life and you move on, and they’re still going to have a really good team … and only the future will tell us if they were right or wrong.”

    More from Sportsnet
    Marchessault balances disappointment of leaving Vegas with excitement of joining Predators


    One player who has to deliver for each team in NHL’s Central Division

    Jonathan Marchessault, a key player for the Vegas Golden Knights, recently opened up about his unsuccessful contract negotiations with the team. The 31-year-old forward shed light on the details of the negotiations, providing fans with insight into the challenges that players face when trying to secure a new deal.

    Marchessault, who has been with the Golden Knights since their inaugural season in 2017, was seeking a contract extension that would keep him with the team for the long term. However, negotiations hit a roadblock as both sides struggled to come to an agreement on the terms of the deal.

    One of the main sticking points in the negotiations was Marchessault’s desire for a significant raise in his salary. The forward, who is coming off a strong season where he recorded 47 points in 55 games, felt that he deserved to be compensated accordingly for his contributions to the team.

    However, the Golden Knights were hesitant to meet Marchessault’s demands, citing salary cap constraints and the need to prioritize other players on the roster. This led to a stalemate in negotiations, with both sides unable to find common ground on a new contract.

    Despite the unsuccessful negotiations, Marchessault remains committed to the Golden Knights and is focused on helping the team succeed in the upcoming season. The forward expressed his gratitude for the support of the fans and his teammates, and is eager to put the contract talks behind him and focus on playing hockey.

    As negotiations continue between Marchessault and the Golden Knights, fans will be eagerly awaiting news of a resolution. In the meantime, Marchessault’s honesty and transparency about the contract negotiations provide a rare glimpse into the challenges that players face in securing new deals in the NHL.