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Vegas Golden Knights 2017-18 Christmas Wish List

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 13: (L-R) Reilly Smith #19, Colin Miller #6, Jonathan Marchessault #81, Oscar Lindberg #24 and Luca Sbisa #47 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the game at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 13: (L-R) Reilly Smith #19, Colin Miller #6, Jonathan Marchessault #81, Oscar Lindberg #24 and Luca Sbisa #47 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the game at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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2. Extend Jonathan Marchessault

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 3: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the game at T-Mobile Arena on December 3, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 3: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the game at T-Mobile Arena on December 3, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Jonathan Marchessault is an incredible talent that really came out of nowhere. The Cap-Rouge, Quebec native flew way under the radar in Columbus and Tampa Bay. He was regarded as a bottom-six forward with no high ceiling. But when he joined the Panthers organization, his role changed.

In 2016-17, Marchessault scored 30 goals and was one of the best players on the team that season. However, in a shocking turn of events, Florida couldn’t find a trade partner and the team left him exposed to Vegas in the expansion draft. And to the Golden Knights delight, they picked him, and it’s worked out big time.

In 30 games played, Marchessault is averaging more than a point per game and is on track to score 30 goals again. He’s on a line that consists of Reilly Smith and William Karlsson. Both players are very responsible and fantastic playmakers which makes Marchessault the top offensive player of the trio.

The 26-year old is due for a significant raise from the $750,000 deal he’s currently working on. I do expect Vegas to sign him to a long-term deal. I suspect he’ll earn at least a five-year contract with a 5.5-5.8 million dollar cap hit. But the longer they wait, the price may keep going up if Marchessault goes on another tear.

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