With Jonathan Marchessault leaving the Vegas Golden Knights for the Nashville Predators, it's fitting to give the "Original Misfit" a proper tribute. There are many reasons why the winger deserves to be honored, including being the franchise leader in numerous categories. That consists of leading Vegas in goals (192), assists (225), and points (417).
There are other numerous accolades associated with his Vegas career. That includes winning the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe trophies in 2023. That season, he scored 13 goals and 12 assists, making him the postseason's most valuable player. Last season, he scored 42 goals, falling one short of William Karlsson's franchise record (43 in 2017-18).
Las Vegas sports fans have an attachment to their "Original Misfits." Why? Because they set the standard for sports in Sin City. This group pulled off the miraculous feat of making the championship round in their inaugural season. With 14 other teams in the Western Conference and each team having a 0.067% chance, it's a remarkable accomplishment.
What's more, they made the championship round twice in their first six seasons. Their second go-round saw them vanquish the Florida Panthers in five games. Promises were fulfilled, a city healed from prior tragedies, and Vegas stood atop the hockey world. No. 81 played a major part in that run, proving himself to be a clutch superstar.
Therefore, it's only fitting to look back and see what Marchessault brought to the Golden Knights franchise. What made the winger special in the community? What will his legacy be when it comes to Las Vegas sports? Get your hockey sticks ready for some stick taps because it's time to honor this "Original Misfit's" legacy.
How Jonathan Marchessault came to Vegas
It's June 21, 2017. The NHL Expansion Draft is happening. Not many people were even thinking about how this team would win it all in six years, let alone make the Stanley Cup Final. Still, names like Calvin Pickard and William Carrier came off the board. Then, the eighth pick comes along and Jonathan Marchessault is selected.
Names like Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck were protected, laying down the seeds for what was to come. Meanwhile, Marchessault was coming off an emergent season with the Panthers. In 2016-17, he scored 30 goals and 21 assists. He would provide some scoring for Vegas, bolstering their winger depth. Little did anybody know this pick from Florida would impact the team out of the gate.
The winger would score 27 goals and 48 assists the next season, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to the championship round. Fueled by motivation to heal a reeling community, the team was going full-steam to their first Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals stopped them in five games, winning their first title in franchise history.