3 reasons why letting Jonathan Marchessault go makes sense
Jonathan Marchessault is no longer a Vegas Golden Knights star. He's off to Nashville, leaving Las Vegas behind. Here's why that's not a bad thing.
Divorces can get extremely messy, sometimes. It becomes a case of "he said, she said," where both sides plead their cases about why they've justified their separation. It stinks for the various parties involved, whether it's the children or family pets. That's the case with Jonathan Marchessault and the Vegas Golden Knights, who went their separate ways last week.
With the team and the "Original Misfit" failing to reach an agreement, Marchessault hit free agency. There, it's where he signed a five-year, $5.5 million AAV deal with the Nashville Predators. It signaled the end of an era where the team's heart and soul would no longer be present.
Of course, this led to interesting commentary from both parties, starting with the winger. He stated that Vegas didn't make a concerted effort to re-sign him in the past year. However, general manager Kelly McCrimmon refuted these claims, saying he was in regular contact with Marchessault's agent, Pat Brisson, throughout that timespan.
Whatever the case, let's not overlook the impact No. 81 had on the team. He's the all-time leader in goals (192), assists (225), and power play goals (42), to name a few. Along the way, he won a Conn Smythe trophy and a Stanley Cup, adding to his lore.
Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that his departure has left a void in the hearts of Golden Knights fans everywhere. However, there's a plausible cause regarding why letting him walk was the right decision. In fact, there are three reasons why it makes sense (hear me out, please!).
Jonathan Marchessault is 33 years old
Wanting a five-year contract at 33 years old is good news for the player asking for it. It provides a security blanket heading into retirement, where they can rest comfortably. However, that's not the case for the team handing it out.
Kelly McCrimmon says the five years of term for Marchessault was the deal breaker, and they just weren’t willing to go there.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) July 2, 2024
The contract would've expired when Jonathan Marchessault was 39 years old, making it an albatross for the Vegas Golden Knights. Given Vegas's history of dumping older talent for newer stars (see Marc-Andre Fleury and Reilly Smith), it shouldn't surprise fans that a deal wasn't done.
The thing with Marchessault is he's mainly a sniper, serving a purpose offensively and on the power play. While Vegas has historically struggled on the man advantage, having the winger around until he's 39 would've made him a liability later. That's also because...
Marchessault is undersized
Being 33 years old is one part of the equation. When you request five years for your next deal, it makes it tough for a team to prepare for the future. That's especially true when that player is physically lacking. That's the case with Marchessault, who only stands at 5'9".
Being at that height limits a hockey player and what they can do. For example, it leaves such players vulnerable defensively, limiting how they check and move. Granted, the "Golden Misfit" weighs 185 lbs., so that won't be a problem now. However, when he gets closer to 39 years old, his skills will deteriorate.
That's also true offensively, where taking the puck away from him is much easier. Scoring 42 goals in a single season is an impressive feat, especially at 33 years old. It'll be tougher to duplicate that season with a small stature. It's easier for opponents to take the puck away since he can't use his frame to turn them away.
The Golden Knights pride themselves on playing bigger than their opponents. That's why they were the second-tallest team last season (74.1 average inches) and the heaviest team (207.9 average lbs.). It's reasonable that losing a smaller piece helps Vegas become bigger.
It allows for the Vegas Golden Knights to address the roster further
Indeed, $5.5 million AAV was certainly doable by Kelly McCrimmon's standards. All Vegas had to do was make some moves, such as moving Robin Lehner to LTIR, to make it happen. That way, it would've given them the necessary salary cap room to work.
However, there are other deals that need to be focused on. For example, Jack Eichel has two years on his current deal. He'll be due for another contract and is younger and more versatile. With the Vegas Golden Knights needing to address Eichel's situation, that will cost them plenty of salaray cap room.
That's also true if they want to sign a superstar like Mitch Marner or Leon Draisaitl. The Golden Knights are one piece from ultimately shooting themselves up to being Stanley Cup favorites with such a move. Therefore, creating the necessary space is key.
Yes, Jonathan Marchessault's deal with Nashville might look miniscule in five years compared to where the market looks now. However, $5.5 million AAV makes a notable difference when creating room for big-time stars. Therefore, it makes sense for the Golden Knights to pass on making such a deal.
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