Jonathan Marchessault Reveals Truth Behind Golden Knights Exit

Jonathan Marchessault, one of the original members of the Vegas Golden Knights, opened up about the process that led to his departure from the team and his subsequent move to the Nashville Predators during the 2024 NHL offseason.

Speaking on The Cam and Strick Podcast on September 10 , the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner revealed details about the breakdown in contract negotiations with the Golden Knights, which ultimately resulted in him leaving the team he helped lead to a Stanley Cup victory that season.

“In Vegas, I called the GM [Kelly McCrimmon] on Friday, I called the president [George McPhee] on Saturday. I’m like, ‘What’s going on, what do you guys want to do? I need to know, are you guys actually letting me go for real?’” Marchessault said.

Despite his efforts to get clarity on where things stood regarding his extension, Marchessault noted that “nothing was budging” by Sunday, which led him to explore other options.

The forward was seeking a four-year deal with the Golden Knights but was only offered a three-year contract by the team. That is, even though Marchessault is the all-time Vegas leader in goals, assists, points, and games played for the franchise since its 2018 inception.

With the negative from the Golden Knights' brass, Marchessault decided to sign a sizable five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Nashville Predators on the first day of free agency, a longer and more lucrative contract than what he had initially hoped for.

Reflecting on his departure, Marchessault expressed disappointment with how the situation played out.

“There’s definitely no loyalty (in Vegas), but at the same time, you’re there to win," Marchessault said. "I don’t mind that mindset, personally.

"Obviously, I’m disappointed that I left. I thought I had done good enough in the past seven years for them that I could deserve what I deserved.

"Only the future will tell us if they were right or wrong."

Marchessault’s exit adds him to a growing list of fan favorites who have left the Golden Knights, including Marc-Andre Fleury, Nate Schmidt, Alex Tuch, and Reilly Smith.

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