Nashville Predators sign Jonathan Marchessault to 5-year, $27.5 million deal

The Nashville Predators have signed former Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault to a five-year contract worth $27.5 million for an average of $5.5 million per year.

The Predators also signed Steven Stamkos to a four-year deal as a move by general manager Barry Trotz to vastly improve the team's offense.

Marchessault, 33, scored 42 goals and 27 assists in 82 games with the Golden Knights last season. A 5-foot-9, 183-pound right-handed center, he has 487 points in 638 NHL games with the Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets.

During Vegas' run to the Stanley Cup victory in 2023, he was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP. He had 25 points in 22 games, including 13 goals.

Giving Marchessault a four-year deal at age 33 will raise some eyebrows. But he's still an effective player and a clutch playoff performer. With the pieces Nashville already has — plus signing Stamkos — this move shows Trotz is in "win now" mode.

Marchessault will be 37 years old at the end of the contract, after which he will be an unrestricted free agent.