The Nashville Predators appear to be approaching a major decision involving Jonathan Marchessault, and the most important question may no longer be whether Chris MacFarland is willing to trade him. It is whether Marchessault will approve the destination.
My read on the situation is that a trade is becoming increasingly likely before the 2026-27 season begins. MacFarland has reshaped Nashville’s forward group with younger, faster and more defensively responsible players, leaving Marchessault without an obvious long-term role. However, the veteran winger’s no-movement protection gives him significant control over where and potentially when he leaves.
The Nashville Predators should explore a trade, but they should not attach a premium asset simply to remove Marchessault’s contract. A deal involving modest salary retention could create a better market and give the 35-year-old an opportunity to chase another Stanley Cup. Montreal represents the most obvious personal fit, while Philadelphia and Seattle possess cleaner salary-cap paths. Chicago can afford him easily, but convincing Marchessault that the Blackhawks offer an immediate chance to win could be difficult.
Why a Jonathan Marchessault Trade Makes Sense for the Nashville Predators
MacFarland has wasted little time putting his fingerprints on the Nashville Predators. Since taking over as president of hockey operations and general manager, he has added Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Mavrik Bourque, Nils Höglander, Alexander Kerfoot, Chase Bradley and Adam Edstrom to a crowded forward group.
The Predators’ official website acknowledged that those additions could produce further trades. MacFarland also admitted that improving key areas of the roster “may require some tough decisions.”
That is where Marchessault enters the conversation. Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, Ryan O’Reilly, Luke Evangelista, Bourque and Matthew Wood could occupy most of Nashville’s offensive opportunities. Colton, Drury, Höglander, and Kerfoot provide MacFarland with additional options for the bottom six and special teams.
Marchessault is still capable of helping an NHL team, but paying him $5.5 million to play limited third-line minutes would be an inefficient use of Nashville’s cap space. It could also reduce his trade value further if his production declines in a smaller role.
Jonathan Marchessault’s Production Has Declined in Nashville
Marchessault recorded 21 goals and 56 points over 78 games during his first season with Nashville. His production fell to 12 goals, 19 assists and 31 points in 62 games during the 2025-26 campaign. His scoring rate declined from approximately 0.72 points per game to 0.50, a drop of just over 30 percent.
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 78 | 21 | 35 | 56 | 0.72 |
| 2025-26 | 62 | 12 | 19 | 31 | 0.50 |
Some of that decline can be connected to injury, role, and Nashville’s changing lineup. Marchessault still showed flashes of his playmaking ability late in the season, including a three-assist performance against San Jose. The issue is not that he can no longer contribute. The concern is whether a declining scoring winger entering his age-36 season can outperform a contract that runs for three more years.
Marchessault’s playoff résumé remains his biggest selling point. He won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. A contender would not be acquiring him to drive an entire line. It would be betting that his shooting ability, experience, and competitiveness can strengthen a second power-play unit and provide playoff depth.
Jonathan Marchessault Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 778 | 263 | 311 | 574 | -12 |
| Playoffs | 102 | 36 | 40 | 76 | 37 |
Marchessault’s Contract Creates Both Risk and Opportunity
Marchessault is signed through the 2028-29 season with a $5.5 million annual cap hit. His contract contains no-movement protection, meaning the Predators cannot complete a trade without his participation. PuckPedia lists no-movement protection through the contract, with modified trade protection also applying in the final season.
The 2026-27 NHL salary cap is $104 million. Marchessault’s full cap hit therefore consumes approximately 5.29 percent of a team’s available ceiling.
| Trade Structure | Acquiring Team Cap Hit | Nashville Retention | Percentage of $104M Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| No salary retained | $5.5 million | $0 | 5.29% |
| Nashville retains 25% | $4.125 million | $1.375 million | 3.97% |
| Nashville retains 50% | $2.75 million | $2.75 million | 2.64% |
My preferred structure would involve Nashville retaining no more than 25 percent. At a $4.125 million cap hit, Marchessault becomes much easier for a contender to justify. Retaining 50 percent would significantly increase his market value, but Nashville would carry $2.75 million in dead cap space for three seasons. That is a substantial commitment for a team attempting to build a younger core.
NHLTradeRumor.com Jonathan Marchessault Trade-Value Model
The following is our trade-value calculation and not a reported asking price from the Nashville Predators:
| Trade-Value Factor | Maximum Score | Marchessault Score |
|---|---|---|
| Recent offensive production | 25 | 13 |
| Contract efficiency | 20 | 11 |
| Age and remaining term | 20 | 6 |
| Playoff experience and pedigree | 20 | 18 |
| Trade flexibility | 15 | 5 |
| Total | 100 | 53 |
A score of 53 places Marchessault in the category of a useful veteran whose trade value depends heavily on salary retention and destination.
At the full $5.5 million cap hit, Nashville’s realistic return could be a third-round pick, a mid-level prospect or a comparable contract. With 25 percent retained, the Predators could push for a second- or third-round selection and a secondary prospect. At 50 percent retained, Marchessault would become a much more attractive $2.75 million playoff addition, but the return would need to justify three years of retained salary.
Which Teams Could Trade for Jonathan Marchessault?
Montreal Canadiens: Montreal is the most logical player-approved destination. Marchessault is from Quebec, the Canadiens have been connected to him previously, and Montreal has room to absorb his contract. The Canadiens currently project to have approximately $9.8 million in cap space, although performance bonuses and future extensions must be considered.
Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia has more than $20 million in projected cap space and has demonstrated a willingness to pursue major roster upgrades. The Flyers could absorb the entire contract, but they would have to decide whether adding another winger is more important than preserving assets and flexibility for help at center.
Seattle Kraken: Seattle has approximately $18.4 million in projected cap space. The Kraken could offer Marchessault meaningful offensive minutes without requiring Nashville to retain salary. The bigger question is whether Marchessault would view Seattle as the type of immediate championship opportunity required to waive his protection.
Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago’s projected $29.3 million in space makes this the easiest trade financially. Marchessault could provide leadership and scoring support around Chicago’s young core. However, a rebuilding or emerging team may not match his reported preference for a proven Stanley Cup contender.
Earlier reporting also connected the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings to Marchessault. Those destinations could become relevant again if Nashville retains salary or another contract moves in the opposite direction.
My Take: A Trade Is Best for Marchessault and the Predators
I believe the Nashville Predators will trade Jonathan Marchessault if he supplies a workable list of destinations. MacFarland did not sign this contract and has no reason to preserve a roster construction that no longer fits his vision. His early moves suggest he values versatility, defensive responsibility, competitiveness and players who can support Nashville’s developing prospects.
Marchessault deserves the opportunity to finish his career in a meaningful role. Keeping him in Nashville as an expensive third- or fourth-line winger would benefit neither side. The Predators would risk lowering his value, while Marchessault would lose another opportunity to compete for a Stanley Cup.
Montreal is my pick for the most likely player-approved destination, but Philadelphia may be the easiest organization with which to complete a hockey trade. Seattle is the strongest clean-cap option. Chicago should only be considered realistic if Marchessault prioritizes role, family comfort, and stability over an immediate championship opportunity.
A deal is not guaranteed because Marchessault controls the process. Nevertheless, the growing roster surplus, his declining role and MacFarland’s willingness to make difficult decisions have created the conditions for a trade before training camp.
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