There are six original “misfits” left on the Golden Knights roster. How many and who will remain next season is an open question.
William Carrier, William Karlsson, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore, Zach Whitecloud and Jonathan Marchessault have been with the organization since its inception in 2017.
They were dubbed misfits because they came from across the NHL as the Golden Knights cobbled together a team from scratch in the expansion draft. A few months later, they reached the Stanley Cup Final in establishing a winning tradition that mostly remained.
No player has been more important to the fabric and development of the Golden Knights than Marchessault, better known as “Marchy” to teammates and fans. But with his contract up in July, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, it’s unknown how much longer he will remain a Golden Knight.
Bottom line, the team will look drastically different next season. What happens with the 33-year-old Marchessault will be the defining moment of the offseason.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon said Marchessault’s value “extends beyond what you see on the ice.” He’s a leader among his teammates and “an important guy in our dressing room,” McCrimmon said.
Marchessault won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023 and scored 42 goals last season. He also played in all 82 games —a n important stat considering the team was hampered by injuries in falling to the No. 8 playoff seed.
This much appears to be certain: Marchessault, who signed a $30 million, six-year contract in 2018, wants to stay in Las Vegas.
And this much is also certain: Considering the impact he has had on the organization, he will be asking for a substantial pay bump.
“I’ve done everything I can to stay here,” Marchessault said, noting that he’s proven himself over the years.
“I would love to stay. This is my home. I’ve been part of the guys that started this. It’s the most proud thing I’ve done in my life,” he said.
While Marchessault said he wants to be “a Golden Knight for life,” he is aware the decision is not completely in his hands.
To bring Marchessault back, the Golden Knights would likely have to part ways with Alec Martinez, Chandler Stephenson, Theodore and possibly others, to free up enough salary cap space.
“There’s certainly a strong willingness from both sides to have real good discussions,” McCrimmon said. “We’ll work diligently on it and see where we get to.”
Marchessault’s teammates and coaches would also like to see him stay.
“He’s been a big part of the core of this team since it started in 2017,” captain Mark Stone said. “He scores goals, brings energy to the locker room and is an enjoyable teammate.”
“Things happen in our league and players change teams. He’s a guy I think most of us hope is in our lineup next year,” Stone said.
Defenseman McNabb, who was part of the original team, said he can’t imagine a locker room without Marchessault.
“Everyone knows how big he is to this team, what he means to the city and the fan base,” McNabb said. “It’s business, but we all hope Jon is back. We love him and we want him here.”
Coach Bruce Cassidy said he loves coaching Marchessault.
“The progression we’ve made may be one of the best I’ve had as a coach. ... I enjoy my relationship with him, talking honestly and openly,” he said.
“He’s had great years as a Golden Knight. I cannot say enough good things about him,” Cassidy said.
This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.
