Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
A former Stanley Cup champion could be a potential bargain option for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nashville Predators forward Jonathan Marchessault has emerged as a potential trade option for teams, and could be a cost-effective alternative to some of the top teams in the NHL.
According to a report from Nick Kypreos, Jonathan Marchessault could be a cheap secondary option for fellow Predators forward Steven Stamkos.
Marchessault won a Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, named the Conn Smythe winner as the playoffs MVP, leading in goals with 13 and second in points with 25, along with four goals and eight points in five games in the finals against the Florida Panthers.
Marchessault signed a five-year, $27.5M contract with Nashville on July 1st of 2024, currently having nine points in 24 games this season for the Predators.
Why Jonathan Marchessault, Predators, are linked in trade talks
The Nashville Predators are likely to be sellers in the trade market as the team continues to struggle despite a massive roster spend last season that failed to push Nashville into the playoffs.
Currently, the Predators sit second last in the NHL with 28 points and an 11-14-4, appearing likely to rebuild after their planned roster contention looks to not be heading their way for a second season in a row.
High-priced players such as Marchessault and Stamkos have led to questions over both of their futures, and could see both moved out.
A player like Marchessault could provide value to a team like Toronto, and could be a bargain option that adds impact to the middle-six.
Why Jonathan Marchessault could be a key addition for Toronto
Jonathan Marchessault is an experienced playoff performer who has won a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe and over 100 postseason games.
A question mark is that Marchessault is 5’9, with the Leafs being a team that has valued size, but has taken exceptions in recent with Troy Stecher and Matias Maccelli.
Marchessault could also be a value option for a lack of option on a weak team in Nashville, with his age also being helpful in a trade.
Steven Stamkos could still come at a hefty price, and for a team like Toronto with a lack of futures, a player like Marchessault could be more affordable to what Toronto has as a potential return.
Despite some question marks, Jonathan Marchessault could be a reliable middle-six forward option for the Leafs, and come cheap.
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Former Conn Smythe winner emerges as intriguing option for the Maple Leafs
Does Jonathan Marchessault make sense for Toronto?