Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon's comments on contract negotiations aren't sitting well with Jonathan Marchessault, who is trying to set the record straight
The back-and-forth between former Vegas Golden Knights player Jonathan Marchessault and GM Kelly McCrimmon continues, with the latest shots fired by Marchessault. He has responded after McCrimmon denied not trying to hard enough to re-sign the former Conn Smythe trophy winner.
Marchessault recently signed a new contract with the Nashville Predators, and told reporters that he felt Vegas didn't even try to keep him despite his impact on the team over the past few years. McCrimmon responded by saying that simply isn't true.
"McCrimmon says 'this couldn't be further from the truth' and he 'disagrees' with it. Chalked it up to Marchessault being a fiery guy."
Marchessault has now fired back at McCrimmon, saying that he was indeed offered the same money and term from Vegas, but it wasn't the same contract.
"Jonathan Marchessault told @1025TheGame this morning the offer from Vegas was for the same amount as Nashville, but it was deferred money.
'It was not a traditional offer.'"
Marchessault added that it feels like McCrimmon and Golden Knights President George MacPhee were worried about how old Marchessault would be at the end of a new deal.
"I talked to George (McPhee) and Kelly (McCrimmon). I told them I like the whole situation, how I see the organization. They didn't believe in me for the remainder of my career I guess. It was a little disappointing. But at the same time, I don't hold grudges."
Marchessault had been a member of the Vegas Golden Knights from the very beginning, being plucked from the Florida Panthers in the expansion draft of 2017. His Conn Smythe trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs came in 2022-23 when the Golden Knights won a Stanley Cup.
