The price the Canadiens need to pay to add Jonathan Marchessault is revealed

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Elias Edmonson
June 9, 2024 (12:53)

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For quite some time, everything has indicated that Jonathan Marchessault will not return to Las Vegas.

After leading the Knights to the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient must now make way for younger players.

It didn't take long for speculations about the Quebec player and the Montreal Canadiens to surface on social media. Many fans and experts, including the hosts of the "La Poche Bleue" podcast, Guillaume Latendresse and Maxim Lapierre, have weighed in on the matter.

Nevertheless, Kent Hughes will have no choice but to test the waters to see if a deal can be reached. But what could the asking price be for the forward right now?

The price to pay for Jonathan Marchessault revealed?

According to Jean-Charles Lajoie, Marchessault might demand a 6 to 7-year contract, costing $6.5 million per year.

TVA Sports - LE CH, COCU PAR EXCELLENCE DU 1ER JUILLET

«Jonathan Marchessault is in a somewhat similar situation, but he will cost much less than Stamkos. Jo will reasonably want a 6-7 year deal at around $6.5 million per season. He just scored 42 goals at 33, a career-high.

Marchessault has what it takes to fire up Montreal. He would be an incredible leader and inspiration for the young forwards of the CH, and his recent playoff experience would be an extraordinary asset for the Canadiens' grand project.

Do Gorton & Hughes think like me? If so, they will make a sincere offer to Marchessault and his advisors on July 1st...» - JiC Lajoie

While Lajoie seems to find this fair, I don't completely agree with him.

I like Marchessault; I'm certain he could be an excellent leader and that his production over the next two or three years would be outstanding. But giving him a $6.5 million contract until he's 39 is something to think about. Especially when the club will soon have to extend Juraj Slafkovsky and Kaiden Guhle, and eventually Logan Mailloux, Lane Hutson, and David Reinbacher. We also shouldn't create another problem like we did with Gallagher...

However, in the short to medium term, a 40-goal scorer (he scored 42 this season) certainly wouldn't hurt the team. But is the team really ready to add a veteran to its ranks?

We know that Kent Hughes will be looking for offensive talent this summer. We all think it will be through trades, but the Gorton-Hughes duo might surprise us. Especially since Jeff Gorton, who is usually not inclined to overpay on July 1st, seems more open to it now.

Credit Go Nordiques
GoNordiques - Contrat: JiC Lajoie révèle ce que Marchessault exigera au Canadien de Montréal