The Conn Smythe winner is reportedly willing to waive his no-movement clause, and a return to Canada seems increasingly likely.
If you thought the Nashville Predators were going to ride out this storm quietly, think again. The Jonathan Marchessault experiment in Nashville hasn’t gone according to plan, and now, the rumblings are turning into legitimate roars. According to recent reports from NHL insiders Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston, the 34-year-old winger is willing to waive his full no-movement clause (NMC), and two fascinating trade partners have emerged: the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.
Here is the reality: The Predators want to move off the three years remaining on his $5.5 million cap hit. This isn’t just a hockey trade; it’s a cap correction. This opens a unique window for teams that need scoring but lack high-end trade assets.
Why Jonathan Marchessault is a Fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Pierre LeBrun recently reported on The Athletic that while adding another aging forward seems counterintuitive for a Leafs team trying to get faster, this specific fit makes sense. Why? Because the acquisition cost is low.
From my perspective, this is exactly the kind of move Brad Treliving makes. The Leafs are asset-poor—they don’t have their first-round picks in 2026 or 2027. They cannot afford to swing for a massive rental that costs a top prospect. Nashville’s motivation is clearing the books, meaning Toronto might acquire a top-six winger without gutting their pipeline.
Imagine Marchessault’s shoot-first mentality alongside Auston Matthews or John Tavares. He doesn’t need to drive the bus; he just needs to finish the chances. While fans are screaming for a rebuild or a youth movement, Treliving is looking at the standings. They are tight. He isn’t waving the white flag. If Marchessault consents to the move—and I believe the allure of playing in a hockey mecca like Toronto is enough to get him to waive—this gives the Leafs a proven playoff performer who drags people into the fight.
The Montreal Connection: A Homecoming for the Habs?
On the other side of the coin, Chris Johnston notes that a trade to Montreal would “certainly sit well” with Marchessault. This is the romantic angle. The Quebec native returning home to play for the Canadiens is a story that writes itself.
Montreal offers something different: mentorship. As the NHL’s youngest roster, the Habs need veterans who have won. Marchessault brings a ring and a Conn Smythe. He adds immediate offensive pop to a top-six that is still finding its identity.
However, the math is trickier here. To make the money work, dollars have to go out. The most obvious candidate is Patrik Laine and his $8.7 million cap hit. Would Nashville take that on? It’s a complex swap, but for Marchessault, finishing his career in La Belle Province might be the only thing enticing enough to leave the Predators mid-season.
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