Nashville Predators, Jonathan Marchessault trade possibility: what it means for Nashville and Marchessault’s value.

0 Diana khan November 14, 2025

The Nashville Predators find themselves in a precarious spot this season, and the prospect that general manager Barry Trotz would consider trading Jonathan Marchessault is a major signal. According to insider Pierre LeBrun, the Predators would entertain offers for Marchessault if they find themselves out of playoff contention by the Christmas break.

From my vantage point, that threshold — “out of contention” — is key. Nashville shelled out large sums in free agency last season, yet early season performance has fallen well short of expectations once gain.

Marchessault’s cap hit ($5.5 million) is less than fellow veteran Steven Stamkos’s $8 million average annual value, which might make him more accessible as a trade chip. According to LeBrun, he carries that cap hit and the contract runs through 2028-29 — but with a full no-movement clause. That clause gives Marchessault the right to refuse a trade.

From an expert lens: The Predators may view Marchessault as a relatively “movable” veteran compared to Stamkos simply because of cost, but only if his performance aligns with value and he is willing to waive his clause (or at least the fit/trade partner is acceptable).

What Marchessault’s Value Requires

Marchessault’s trade value will hinge on three primary variables, in my view:

Performance trajectory — If Marchessault continues to produce offensively (goals, playmaking, consistent impact) his value remains strong. But if he’s trending downward or the Predators are structurally weak (e.g., poor possession numbers, defensive breakdowns) his value erodes. For instance, one report noted Nashville’s offense has stumbled despite the veteran infusion.
Willingness to waive his no-movement clause — Without his buy-in, even a team willing to trade will struggle if Marchessault blocks the move. That gives Nashville less leverage and likely requires a higher return or a favorable trade scenario.
Market demand & time of year — Teams in contention looking for veteran scoring depth will begin kicking tires closer to the NHL trade deadline. If Marchessault still looks like a dependable contributor, his value rises. But if Nashville is clearly out of contention early, they may be forced to accept less.

In my opinion, Nashville will monitor internal metrics closely (points percentage, goal differential, chance creation) as the calendar moves toward Christmas. If the trend is firmly downward by winter break, then Marchessault becomes a logical asset to trade. If instead he’s still generating and the team shows glimpses of bounce-back potential, Nashville might hold. The nuance is that his cap hit is moderate relative to big fish veteran contracts, so other teams may view this as a moderate-risk, moderate-reward acquisition if Marchessault still has gas in the tank.