Like all franchises, the Nashville Predators are looking for their next move.
Under general manager Barry Trotz, the Predators have stayed busy, hiring Luke Richardson as an assistant coach on June 24 and signing defenseman Nick Perbix to a two-year deal on July 1. But as July rolls on, all eyes turn to NHL free agency.
Could Nashville Trade A Veteran Forward?
The Predators made three of the biggest 2024 free agency splashes with the signings of defenseman Brady Skjei and forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.
Now Marchessault keeps popping up in trade chatter for Nashville this year. A former Conn Smythe-winning winger, Marchessault signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Predators last season.
Nick Kypreos, a reporter for Sportsnet, mentioned recently that the right winger had a spot on his trade board.
“If [the Predators] have a chance to move one of their expensive, long-term contracts, Jonathan Marchessault would be the most likely,” Kypreos said.
Nick Kypreos: If [the Predators] have a chance to move one of their expensive, long-term contracts, Jonathan Marchessault would be the most likely – Sportsnet (Jul 15)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 19, 2025
Marchessault recently followed up his Conn Smythe-winning 42-goal season with a solid 21 goals and 35 assists for 56 points in 78 games while spending last season on the top line.
However, it’s also worth mentioning that Trotz spoke to the media after the trade deadline in an attempt to shut down these rumors surrounding the 34-year-old.
“There’s no truth to any of that [trade speculation],” Trotz said, according to heavy.com. “If [Marchessault] is going to look for something, he [would be] calling his agent, and he [would be] calling me. I was just checking in with [Brisson] because people are going, ‘What’s happening [with Marchessault]?’ There’s nothing happening. I didn’t know if anything was happening, so I just double-checked with him that maybe I missed something. I didn’t miss anything.”
But to be fair, if Marchessault went to another franchise, it wouldn’t be entirely based on his track record.
The Quebec, Canada native went undrafted and got his start in the league during the 2012-13 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, and, most recently, the Predators.
Jonathan Marchessault’s message to #VegasBorn fans as he returns to Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/1zr4thlUVu
— Rochelle Richards (@RoRichards_KTNV) April 12, 2025
Therefore, should Marchessault end up getting dealt out by Nashville, it shouldn’t come as too big a surprise.
