Ahead of their game against Edmonton tonight, the Nashville Predators shared that Jonathan Marchessault has been played on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury, and remains day-to-day. No corresponding transaction was made.
It has been a tough season for the 35-year-old both on and off the ice. As noted by Nick Kieser of Lower Broad Pucks, Marchessault’s absence tonight marks his 12th straight, along with 18 so far in the campaign.
Even when healthy in his 28 games so far, Marchessault has just 10 points and is a -18. Signed to a five-year deal worth $5.5MM per season after a career best 42-goal season with Vegas in 2023-24, Nashville were aware the veteran would slow down as he entered his mid-thirties, but such production so far this year indicates decline two years or so ahead of schedule. Whether the 2023 Conn Smythe winner’s output is more a result of age, or a poor fit as a Predator where he could offer more elsewhere, is not entirely clear.
After his 56-point output last year, the undrafted Stanley Cup Champion sought to turn the page in 2025-26, but it has not gone to plan yet. Seemingly dead in the water when he was healthy, the Predators have found their stride recently without Marchessault, leaving Head Coach Andrew Brunette with a difficult choice of how to slot back in the winger when he returns. Rookie Reid Schaefer has been a good fit on the fourth line, making a case to stay up for the rest of the season.
Still with three additional years on his contract, Marchessault will hopefully find his game again and help the Predators make a push this spring, as a possible change-of-scenery may be difficult for GM Barry Trotz to work out. The Predators take on Marchessault’s former team in Vegas on Saturday, and it is hard to imagine he will return before then.