Marchessault thrilled to be reunited with Stamkos on Predators | NHL.com

“I think it just fits the way I like to play,” Marchessault said. “I’m a hard-working kind of guy, and I want to help my team win some hockey games. It’s something that I take a lot of pride doing. With the lineup that they had last year, I thought they did amazing. Just the fact that they went to the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs and all that and did some damage against a pretty good team, too [six-game loss to the Vancouver Canucks]. The future is promising. I just want to go help the Preds achieve their goal.”

Marchessault, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP in 2023, when he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup, had 69 points (42 goals, 27 assists) in 82 games last season and four points (two goals, two assists) in seven playoff games. He is Vegas’ all-time leader in regular-season games (514), goals (192), assists (225), points (417), and playoff games (95), goals (36) and points (75).

However, he and the Golden Knights were unable to reach an agreement on a contract, which ultimately led to his decision to sign with the Predators.

“One of the things that I didn’t like, it was not like a traditional offer,” Marchessault told 102.5 The Game in Nashville on Wednesday. “… The end result was probably around the same amount, but it was longer years. That’s what I didn’t like. I don’t think I deserved that deal at the time. … I wanted a good deal for a team that wants to win. And you know what? Like with Nashville, they didn’t win yet so they’re eager to win and they want to win. That’s what I wanted to be part of.”