A sudden Jonathan Marchessault confession gives Toronto the perfect distressed trade target
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jonathan Marchessault was honest about his mental state after a rough season in Nashville, and a reset in Toronto could give him the kickstart he needs once again.
With the Nashville Predators just missing out on the playoffs despite a late season push, it's another disappointing season from a team who had so much talent and expectations but continually fell short.
Although they had great seasons from Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly and a resurgent Steven Stamkos, it wasn't enough in the Central Division — arguably one of the toughest in the entire league.
Marchessault's honest breakdown of his atypical season
One player who didn't have as great a season however was veteran forward Jonathan Marchessault.
Marchessault, 35, had only 31 points in 62 games; a far cry from his career average of 20 goals and 44 points and his typical durability was not on display either. It was a rough season and it seems like he's well aware of it.
Speaking to reporters, Marchessault was honest about how he felt mentally about this season and that he wasn't in a great headspace all year and it caught up to him on the ice:
I uhh wasn't in what you'd call a good headspace. You know, it really got to me and affected my game.
You know the body says one thing but the mind says another. You know I'm normally a really positive person but things just started to get to me deeper this year.
You know the body says one thing but the mind says another. You know I'm normally a really positive person but things just started to get to me deeper this year.
Signed for another three years, it seems like that unless things turn around in Nashville, he could be looking for a new home and a reset could be exactly what he needs to get back to his scoring ways.
Toronto makes for the perfect destination for Marchessault's resurgence
It's why the Toronto Maple Leafs make perfect sense for the veteran forward, as he's not only someone who can elevate the top-six, but also has the winning pedigree needed to help get this retool on the right path.
He's only signed at $5.5-million for those three years and with Toronto having a lot of cap space, they are able to take on his deal pretty easily. This is a guy who is only two seasons removed from a. 42-goal season, and his two-way play is often understated.
Also surprisingly physical despite his smaller stature, there's still a lot of vile and venom inside Marchessault and he would give Toronto that extra edge.
While there's a lot to say about the Maple Leafs being the 'retirement home' for veterans towards the end of their career, there is something to be said for Marchessault. Just because he's 35 doesn't mean he can't contribute — just look at John Tavares.
We're trying to get back to winning, and adding a reliable and consistent 20-25 goal scorer with a Stanley Cup and above average defence is a great way to shake things up and give Auston Matthews the type of player he needs.
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