NHL insider and Sportsnet analyst Nick Kypreos recently updated his Trade Board and highlighted the Edmonton Oilers as one of the teams under significant pressure to land a high-impact player. Among the names he listed, the final one was Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators—a player Kypreos believes could be a good match for Edmonton.
Marchessault, 34, signed with Nashville last offseason as part of a broader strategy to quickly improve the team. Alongside him, the Predators also brought in Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei. However, after a disappointing campaign that saw Nashville finish 28th in the league, the franchise may already be re-evaluating those decisions. Similar to Edmonton, which moved on from Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, the Predators could be open to retooling, possibly through a trade involving Marchessault.
His goal total dropped to 21 this past season—half of the 42 he scored in his final year with the Vegas Golden Knights—but he still put up 56 points in 78 games. With four years remaining on a \$27.5 million contract (\$5.5 million cap hit annually), moving him won’t be simple, especially with a no-movement clause in place. According to Kypreos, teams like Ottawa, Toronto, and Edmonton could benefit from adding a scorer like him to their top six. While Montreal is rumored to be his preferred destination, Edmonton could offer a strong opportunity for a bounce-back season.
Still, the Oilers have already added Ike Howard and Matt Savoie, and signed Andrew Mangiapane—who’s expected to get a shot in the top six. So the question becomes: is there space for Marchessault? Given his scoring ability and experience, Edmonton might find a way to make it work, particularly if they view him as a key piece in a Stanley Cup push.
If placed in the right role, Marchessault could realistically return to 30-goal form. For a team like Edmonton, his addition could be both strategic and impactful—assuming they’re comfortable with the length and cost of his contract.
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