While there has been some speculation that Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault might be open to a trade after an underwhelming first year with Nashville, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggests it might not be quite that simple. In the latest 32 Thoughts podcast (audio link), he relayed that the list of teams Marchessault might actually be willing to go to is rather small. Having played exclusively in no-tax states, there’s a sense that Marchessault would prefer not to take a big hit to his bottom line in pay with a move while preferring to go to a legitimate contender, a combination that not a lot of teams can offer. That said, Marchessault can only control things to a certain point as he only has a 15-team no-trade clause in his deal, one that has four years remaining on it at a $5.5MM cap charge.
More from the Central:
- The Predators have signed AHL head coach Karl Taylor to a contract extension, reports David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period (Twitter link). Taylor helped lead Milwaukee to the Central Division regular season title for the second straight year and a top-two finish for the fourth straight season so the extension should come as little surprise. Taylor has been running Nashville’s farm team for the last seven seasons and has not yet had a chance to work at the NHL level.
- Blackhawks prospect Ilya Safonov has signed a one-year contract extension with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL, per a team release. The 24-year-old center was a sixth-round pick by Chicago back in 2021, going 172nd overall. Safonov had a minor role with Kazan at the time but had a breakout 37-point performance in 2022-23, providing some enthusiasm that he could come to North America and push for a spot with Chicago. However, his production has dipped over the last two years; this season, he had 22 points in 51 outings and will now remain overseas for at least one more year.
Shame Karl Taylor hasn’t been promoted to HC in Nashville.
So Jonathan Marchessault only wants to play in no-tax states it appears so outside of Nashville, other places would be Dallas, Tampa, Vegas, Florida & such. There is only a small number of teams that are options in that regard. Granted, like the article states, Marchessault only has so much control based on his contractual structure. Another problem in moving Marchessault is his $5.5M AAV which Nashville may need to retain at least 25% of the cap hit in order to move him. I guess only time will tell how this plays out but it seems rather unlikely Marchessault gets moved this offseason.
Teams are their own worst enemy. They’ve handed out NTC like candy – to stars & role players equally. League should limit NTC to have five exclusions max, & just 2 NMC per team.
Why should the league limit this? If teams want to burn themselves by handing out NTC’s/NMC’s then let them sink themselves. Why should we babysit millionaire executives. If it helps get your guy great but you have real consequences to deal with and that’s the way it should be. It’s good for the players it helps negotiations and the teams know the risk they are taking. If they wanna be stupid let them be stupid.
Actually Poile almost never gave NTCs, with only Josi and Forsberg earning them after being with the team for years. GBear’s favorite GM gave them to all three of the guys he bought so it’s a rather unique thing for Nashville.
Great point. Start your own league and make this a rule. Guessing that you will put the NHL out of business within a year. It’s almost like you don’t understand business or the business of sports.
As usual, predoil beclowns himself. As anyone here would know, I lambasted Trotz for the off-season he had in 2023 and for hiring Brunette, only giving praise last year for finally seeming to have a direction he was going in.
But the fact remains that Poile was Mr. Mediocrity as a GM. The truth hurts.