Jonathan Marchessault, the high-scoring winger, will not be returning to the Vegas Golden Knights, a move driven by the team's tight salary cap situation. Despite his impressive 40-goal season, Vegas finds itself strapped for cash, with just $897,516 in cap space available, making it challenging to accommodate Marchessault's expected lucrative deal.
Marchessault's outstanding performance, including a career-high 42 goals this season at age 33, has put him in a strong position for a significant contract. The Conn Smythe trophy winner is anticipated to secure a 6-7 year contract, demanding at least $6.5 million annually.
This financial expectation poses a problem for the Golden Knights but opens an opportunity for other teams, like the Chicago Blackhawks, who boast a $33 million surplus.
In his latest season with Vegas, Marchessault tallied 69 points over 82 games, demonstrating his enduring skill and value as a top-line forward. His potential move is a significant storyline this off-season, as teams with cap space position themselves to leverage his proven abilities for their own playoff aspirations.