Jonathan Marchessault could be more productive with a better team

Jonathan Di Gregorio
Jonathan Marchessault could be more productive with a better team
Credit: Getty Images

With the March 6 trade deadline fast approaching, many are wondering if there will be much movement, given the high demand and few teams really willing to sell at the moment.

And since the supply will be low, there's a risk of overbidding for the best players available.

This situation could lead some clubs to take chances with players who are experiencing certain difficulties, in the hope that a change of environment will do them good.

This is particularly the case for Nick Kypreos, who believes that teams would be willing to take a chance on a player like Jonathan Marchessault, who could have better production up front if better surrounded.

In an article published on Sportsnet, Kypreos presents some of the players who could change addresses between now and the deadline.

In his opinion, Marchessault could be a more attractive option than Steven Stamkos, not least because his average annual salary of $5.5 million (versus $8 million for Stamkos) makes him more manageable on the payroll.

However, Marchessault is currently in the second year of a five-year contract, while Stamkos is in the second year of a four-year contract.

What's more, before his December 17 injury, the Cap-Rouge native had just ten points, including 7 goals, in 28 games, and a -18 rating. By comparison, Stamkos has been doing much better of late, scoring 26 points, including 16 goals, in his last 24 games.

On the other hand, Marchessault's injury, which is being assessed on a daily basis, could lower the Predators' demands for the forward, who could be of interest to a team looking for a bit of punch up front and willing to take a risk.

If he can regain his form, Marchessault can produce 55-60 points in a season, but for how much longer? Let's not forget that he still has three more seasons to go, which would make him 38 years old.

It's really a gamble if any team takes a chance on Marchessault, and that's one of the reasons I can see Kent Hughes making a bid for him.

Up until now, the Habs' CEO hasn't been accustomed to taking this kind of risk, even though he's done an exemplary job of managing his club's payroll, and I'm sure he won't deviate from his plan with a player like Marchessault.


Overtime

– For a good cause.

– Laval opens the scoring.

– Prospects in front of the net.

– He scores on his return.

– The Jays need a forward.

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