Central Notes: Toews, Jets Injuries, Predators
Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews can be marked off any trade deadline wish lists, as the future Hall of Famer says he will invoke his no movement clause if approached, as explained in a piece by Murat Ates of The Athletic.
The reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners welcomed Toews back into the NHL after a two-year hiatus. Joining his hometown club, there were slight hopes the 37-year-old could be a viable second line center, but even if not, he’d be a key presence in a smaller role. Unfortunately things have not gone to plan for Winnipeg, as injuries and a brutal 11-game winless streak at the New Year have sunk the team’s playoff hopes.
Toews’ 19 points in 56 games indicate decline, but he still shows a respectable 48.5% corsi for at even strength, an improvement from his final days as a Blackhawk in 2022-23. As a three-time Stanley Cup winner, practically any contender would welcome Toews with open arms, but the 37-year-old is perfectly content with his childhood favorite team, where he’ll focus on finishing the campaign strong.
Elsewhere across the division:
- Also in Winnipeg, Head Coach Scott Arniel told reporters, including Mitchell Clinton, team Color Analyst, that Neal Pionk is week-to-week with what’s called a “new” injury. The defenseman was nearing a return from a lower-body ailment which sidelined him since January 13, but is now dealing with another issue. With just eight points in 40 games, it figures that Pionk has not been up to full speed all season. Nino Niederreiter is also week-to-week, injured while playing for Switzerland in the Olympics. At 33, the usually dependable scorer has taken a step back with just eight tallies on the year. Finally, Josh Morrissey will miss the team’s road trip, but should return afterward, as soon as March 3 against Chicago. The top defender was injured against Czechia in the Olympics and will have to miss his first game of the campaign as a result.
- Trade discussions on Nashville Predators forwards Jonathan Marchessault and Erik Haula are expected to ramp up until the March 6 trade deadline, as reported in an article from The Fourth Period. Insider David Pagnotta mentioned that the Predators were working on deals which had to wait due to the Olympic trade freeze, although it’s unclear exactly which players were in discussion. While Steven Stamkos has come to life of late, Marchessault, 35, has been unable to find his footing as a Predator, with just 17 points on the season. Still signed through 2028-29 at $5.5MM and with a full no movement clause, Nashville would likely take back an unfavorable contract and a limited return if they could avoid retention. Meanwhile, Haula was picked up to be a stop gap center in his second stint as a Predator. A pending unrestricted free agent, he can veto trades to six teams, but would surely welcome a move to a contender, and will have interest in such a weak center market.
Predators Notes: Marchessault, McCarron, GM Search
There is a willingness from both the Predators and winger Jonathan Marchessault to see if something could happen on the trade front, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in his latest 32 Thoughts column. The 35-year-old is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.5MM AAV. Marchessault has battled injuries this season and has been a little quiet when he has played, notching 10 goals and seven assists in 38 games. However, he was one of the few players who lived up to expectations last season when he collected 21 goals and 35 helpers to finish second on the team in scoring.
While a $5.5MM cap charge for a top-six forward in an increasing cap environment is reasonable, there will be teams questioning just how long he’ll be able to stay in that role which will largely dictate the viability or lack thereof of a swap. Marchessault has a full no-move clause which gives him control over where he could be moved to with Friedman noting that one particular priority for the winger is going somewhere with strong minor hockey infrastructure for his children.
More from Nashville:
- On Friday, the league announced that winger Michael McCarron was fined just over $2.3K for a slash on Washington blueliner Trevor van Riemsdyk on Thursday night. The amount is the maximum allowable under the CBA, amounting to the lower of $5K or one-half of one day’s salary, in this case the latter. The fine money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
- When GM Barry Trotz announced he’d be retiring, the Predators appointed CAA Executive Search to assist in the search for his replacement. However, following concerns from the NHLPA about potential conflicts of interest (CAA Hockey also represents 153 active NHL players), CAA has withdrawn from the agreement with the team, reports Alex Silverman of the Sports Business Journal. The NHLPA’s rules governing agencies prohibit those agencies from representing NHL players and also assisting in executive searches, even if they’re run by two completely distinct elements of that firm. Trotz remains in place as the GM for the time being and is expected to take the team through the trade deadline and beyond that until a replacement is found. Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean adds (Twitter link) that the search will now be done in-house.
Nashville Predators Place Jonathan Marchessault On Injured Reserve
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.
Injury Updates: Kane, Marchment, Girgensons, Marchessault
The Red Wings won’t have a key veteran winger available to them for the next two games. Team reporter Danielle Bruce mentions (Twitter link) that Patrick Kane will not be accompanying the team on their upcoming two-game road trip due to an upper-body injury that also kept him out on Sunday. However, he did skate on his own today and will be re-evaluated to see if he can return when the team returns home on Saturday. Kane has two goals and three assists through his first five games this season while playing a little more than 17 minutes a night.
Other injury news from around the NHL:
- The Kraken announced before tonight’s game (Twitter link) that winger Mason Marchment is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He joins an ever-growing list of unavailable Seattle players, a list that includes Jared McCann (lower body), Brandon Montour (personal), Ryker Evans (upper body), and Frederick Gaudreau (upper body). In his first season with the team after being acquired in the offseason, Marchment has a goal and three assists in six games while logging 15:16 per night of ice time.
- Lightning center Zemgus Girgensons could return to the lineup as soon as Saturday, notes Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. The veteran has yet to play this season due to an undisclosed injury sustained in the preseason but was a regular on the fourth line in 2024-25. His pending return was believed to be part of the impetus in sending Conor Geekie to the minors on Monday, ensuring he’ll keep having regular playing time moving forward.
- Prior to tonight’s game against Anaheim, the Predators announced (Twitter link) that winger Jonathan Marchessault is dealing with a lower-body injury and is listed as out day-to-day. The 34-year-old is off to a solid start to his campaign, collecting two goals and two assists in the first five games, good for a share of the team lead in points heading into tonight’s action. Brady Martin suited up in his third game of the season in Marchessault’s absence; he can play in nine NHL games total before officially activating the first season of his entry-level contract.
Evening Notes: Dubois, Marchessault, Lowry
Washington Capitals centerman Pierre-Luc Dubois donned a non-contact jersey for a second-straight practice on Friday. He won’t be ready for Washington’s Sunday matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, but could return on Tuesday, head coach Spencer Carbery told Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson. Dubois has been day-to-day with a lower-body injury for much of the last week.
Dubois appeared in three games before sustaining his injury. His only notable stat changes came in the form of five shots on net, two hits, and a plus-one. He continued to serve as a top-six center for the Capitals, centering Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson. Washington has turned towards Connor McMichael to fill that role in Dubois’ absence. McMichael has one point – his first of the year – and a plus-one in the relief role. That scoring surely won’t be enough to command Dubois’ spot once he’s back to full health. Dubois should be expected to return in the coming week, and continue his hunt for his first score of the year.
Other notes from around the NHL:
- Winger Jonathan Marchessault sat out of the Nashville Predators’ Saturday matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. He is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, per a team announcement. Nashville opted to ice seven defensemen in the matchup – pulling defender Nick Blackenburg into the lineup. They went on to lose by a score of 1-4. Marchessault is tied for the Predators’ lead in scoring with four points through five games this season. He finished second on the team in scoring last season, with 56 points in 78 game placing him behind only Filip Forsberg, who scored 76 points in 82 games. That standing will make Marchessault’s absence quickly felt, even if he’s only out for the short term.
- On the other side of that matchup, Winnipeg received a bit of positive injury news when captain Adam Lowry returned to practice in a no-contact jersey on Saturday, per NHL.com’s Mitchell Clinton. Lowry has been recovering from hip surgery he underwent in late May. He is still working back to full health this season, but did manage 13 appearances and scored four goals in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. He also scored 34 points in 73 regular season games. Lowry is a core piece of Winnipeg’s lineup when healthy, offering stout two-way play from a middle-six center role. He will be slotted back into a busy role as soon as he’s ready to make his season debut.
Central Notes: Marchessault, Predators, Dobson
Despite ample trade rumors, Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz has shut down speculation surrounding veteran forward Jonathan Marchessault. Per John Glennon of the Nashville Post, Trotz stated today that there is no truth to the rumors related to Marchessault’s availability.
Trotz admitted the speculation around Marchessault reached a point where he felt compelled to call the forward’s agent, Pat Brisson, to ensure the rumors weren’t true. As Trotz was quoted, “There’s nothing happening. I didn’t know if anything was happening, so I just double-checked with him that maybe I missed something. I didn’t miss anything.”
Just last offseason, Marchessault signed a five-year, $27.5MM free agent deal with the Predators. In 78 games, the 34-year-old posted 21 goals and 56 points, marking the eighth time he has eclipsed the 20-goal plateau. However, his goal total was half of what he produced in his final season with the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Preds finished with the third-worst record in the league. Moreover, Marchessault had the second-worst plus/minus rating on the team (minus-29), behind only fellow veteran Steven Stamkos. These factors have sparked speculation that Marchessault could draw significant trade interest, but Trotz’s comments today appear to put those rumors to rest.
Elsewhere in the Central:
- Trotz also expressed confidence in the Predators’ roster, stating his belief that the team is built to compete in the near future. Per team reporter Brooks Bratten, Trotz noted, “We still have enough good players that if we go in the right direction, yes [we can win and compete].” Despite the team’s offensive struggles last season (finishing second-to-last in the league with 212 goals), the Preds do have pedigree at the top of their lineup with the likes of Marchessault, Stamkos, Filip Forsberg, as well as defensemen Brady Skjei and Roman Josi. Holding the fifth overall pick in the upcoming draft, the team is also expected to add an impact prospect to its pipeline.
- The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta appeared on “The Sheet with Jeff Marek” and shared his belief that the St. Louis Blues have at least some level of interest in acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old defender posted 10 goals and 39 points in 71 games this past season while averaging just north of 23 minutes per night. While Dobson didn’t replicate his 70-point 2023-24 campaign—due in part to injuries—he should still command a significant return if the Islanders decide to move him.
Predators’ Jonathan Marchessault Generating Trade Interest
The Nashville Predators are set for a busy summer. They have multiple first-round picks, over $17MM in projected cap space, and a clear need for some kind of identity after bets on veteran contracts last summer failed to pan out. Nashville could soon find a release valve from one of those contracts, with teams reportedly callinga bout winger Jonathan Marchessault per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. Pagnotta adds that Marchessault has not yet been asked to waive his no-movement clause, and that Nashville doesn’t expect to explore a trade.
The Predators signed Marchessault to a five-year, $27.5MM contract last summer, following the first 40-goal season of his career. But his scoring totals fell back down to Earth this season. He scored just 21 goals and 56 points in 78 games, a modest stat line helped along by 35 assists – the most Marchessault has recorded since the 2021-22 campaign. A 20-goal, 50-point season is an impressive mark for a 34-year-old winger, and a $5.5MM cap hit – but Marchessault struggled to takeover a line as Nashville’s season fell over. That fact, and head coach Andrew Brunette‘s insistence on icing his top two lines, led Marchessault to a career-worst minus-29. He was outscored at even-strength 37-to-49, good for a goals-for percentage of just 43 percent.
Marchessault’s numbers don’t come close to being the worst on the Predators’, and his scoring still placed him second on the team and three points ahead of future Hall-of-Famer Steven Stamkos. But his stat line did highlight the shaky ground he walked with the Predators. Just two seasons after winning the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup, Marchessault found himself struggling to lift up a defeated roster. It’s likely that sentiment that teams around the league are recognizing – and with the salary cap rising a record $7.5MM next season, his price tag could be easily budgeted for.
It’s no secret that Marchessault is among the best playoff performers. He was a major contributor to all six of Vegas’ postseason runs, and potted a team-leading 13 goals in 22 games of their 2023 Cup win. Marchessault comes to life in summer hockey, with an impressive ability to stay hot from game-to-game. He recorded 36 goals, 75 points, and a plus-36 in 95 playoff games with the Golden Knights, dating back to their first postseason in 2018. Those performances and a manageable cap hit could make him a tremendous value for teams struggling to break their glass ceilings in the postseason – groups like the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Even a reunion with Vegas could make sense, after the team managed the second-lowest goals-per-game in the Western Conference this postseason.
His strong contributions have carried over to the regular season as well. Prior to this year, Marchessault had either scored or paced for at least 25 goals in all eight of the full seasons of his NHL career. He made a statement with 27 goals, 48 assists, and 75 points in 77 games of Vegas’ inaugural season, then showed he could still flash with 42 goals and 69 points in 82 games last year. It’s an impressive bout of longevity, though age will seemingly catch up to him sooner or later. He’s entering his age-35 season, and that could drive down his value even despite high goal-scoring upside. Those will be the factors that teams try to balance as they look to convince Nashville to sell their veterans and add $5MM more to their cap space.
Central Notes: Marchessault, Taylor, Safonov
While there has been some speculation that Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault might be open to a trade after an underwhelming first year with Nashville, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggests it might not be quite that simple. In the latest 32 Thoughts podcast (audio link), he relayed that the list of teams Marchessault might actually be willing to go to is rather small. Having played exclusively in no-tax states, there’s a sense that Marchessault would prefer not to take a big hit to his bottom line in pay with a move while preferring to go to a legitimate contender, a combination that not a lot of teams can offer. That said, Marchessault can only control things to a certain point as he only has a 15-team no-trade clause in his deal, one that has four years remaining on it at a $5.5MM cap charge.
More from the Central:
- The Predators have signed AHL head coach Karl Taylor to a contract extension, reports David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period (Twitter link). Taylor helped lead Milwaukee to the Central Division regular season title for the second straight year and a top-two finish for the fourth straight season so the extension should come as little surprise. Taylor has been running Nashville’s farm team for the last seven seasons and has not yet had a chance to work at the NHL level.
- Blackhawks prospect Ilya Safonov has signed a one-year contract extension with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL, per a team release. The 24-year-old center was a sixth-round pick by Chicago back in 2021, going 172nd overall. Safonov had a minor role with Kazan at the time but had a breakout 37-point performance in 2022-23, providing some enthusiasm that he could come to North America and push for a spot with Chicago. However, his production has dipped over the last two years; this season, he had 22 points in 51 outings and will now remain overseas for at least one more year.
Central Notes: Marchessault, Ylonen, Hintz, Blackhawks
Jonathan Marchessault’s first season in Nashville didn’t exactly go as planned. Like many Predators who underachieved, his offensive numbers dipped, with his goal total being cut in half from 42 to 21 while his 56 points were his lowest since the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign. With things not going well this year, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports that the belief is that the 34-year-old is open to moving on. He’d be an intriguing addition for teams looking to add some firepower up front but the fact he has four years left on his contract (even at a reasonable $5.5MM price tag) could scare some suitors off, while Marchessault can also partially control his fate with a 15-team no-trade clause.
More from the Central:
- As expected, Predators pending RFA Jesse Ylonen has officially signed with SHL Djurgarden, per a team release. He was linked to landing a deal in Sweden last week. The 25-year-old was on Montreal’s roster full-time last season but he played exclusively in the minors this year, splitting time between farm teams in Tampa Bay and Nashville. Between the two squads, Ylonen put 12 goals and 23 assists in 66 games. Ylonen has two years of team control remaining but with arbitration eligibility. Considering the term of this agreement is two years, the likeliest outcome is that the Preds simply non-tender Ylonen next month.
- After missing Sunday’s game with a leg injury, Stars center Roope Hintz was back in the lineup tonight against Edmonton. He took the place of Evgenii Dadonov who was a healthy scratch. Hintz entered the night tied for second on Dallas in points with 11 through 15 games after putting up 67 in 76 games during the regular season.
- The Blackhawks made it official today that Anders Sorensen and Michael Peca will serve as assistants on Jeff Blashill’s staff, moves that were reported last week. Meanwhile, it appears the third and final spot is close to being filled as well as Blashill told reporters today including Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link) that they’re close to getting that vacancy filled. Whoever is hired will be taking the place of Kevin Dean who is not returning next season and will likely be tasked with working with their young defensive group.
Predators Owner Speaks On State Of The Team
Alex Daughterty of The Tennessean wrote about the thoughts of Nashville Predators’ soon-to-be majority owner Bill Haslam. The story covers Haslam’s thoughts on general manager Barry Trotz, head coach Andrew Brunette, as well as the team’s summer free agent spending spree that has not worked out according to the plan. The Predators currently sit second last in the entire NHL in points after dishing out big money long-term contracts to Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei.
Haslam tells The Tennessean that the organization still feels that it should have spent that money on pricey free-agent acquisitions and says that it would do whatever it takes to keep making the team better.
There is no faulting the logic that the Predators had going into the summer, The team performed well last season with much less talent (on paper) and seemingly felt that some offseason moves could move the team from playoff contender to Stanley Cup contender. However, a third of the way through the season, they sit seven games below .500 and don’t look like a group that is set to go on a run. That being said, a run of good play can change things quickly, just look at the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won five of their last six and are back in the thick of it in the Eastern Conference.
Nashville needs more from Stamkos and Marchessault, who both have just 13 points in 28 games this season. Stamkos’ even strength production has fallen off a cliff as he has just one goal and two assists, while Marchessault has just three goals and three assists at even strength.
Skjei, on the other hand, hasn’t produced near the offense he did last season when he had 47 points in 80 games with Carolina, but the biggest alarm bell on the 30-year-old is the amount he is turning over the puck. Skjei has already matched last season’s turnover numbers with 36 in the first 28 games and could exceed 100 on the year if he keeps up this pace.