Marchessault hopes to be Golden Knight for life

Jonathan Marchessault can test the open market this summer as an unrestricted free agent, but his priority is coming to an agreement to remain a Vegas Golden Knight.

"I've done everything I can to stay here," Marchessault said during Tuesday's end-of-season media session, per KTNV's Nick Walters. "I know I'm a big part of the organization. I would love to stay. I was a part of the guys who started this, one of the most proud things in my life. I'm happy to be a Golden Knight and want to be one the rest of my life."

The 33-year-old added that he met with general manager Kelly McCrimmon on Tuesday and was told the club wants him there, according to The Athletic's Jesse Granger.

Marchessault played out the final season of a six-year, $30-million contract. He produced a career-high 42 goals and led Vegas with 68 points, setting him up for a significant raise from the $5 million he earned annually since 2018-19.

The Golden Knights are perennially one of the league's most cap-strapped teams and project to have less than $1 million in financial flexibility this summer, per Cap Friendly.

Marchessault admitted it was difficult to play on an expiring deal, saying he "thought about it all year."

If Marchessault and Vegas can't strike a deal, he'd be one of this summer's most coveted free agents. He's racked up 417 points in 514 games since joining the Golden Knights for their inaugural season and won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP in 2023.