The New York Rangers need to strengthen their roster at the right-wing position and will have various options when free agency begins on July 1.
Dane Walsh of Forever Blueshirts suggests that the Rangers should consider targeting Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault.
“It is clear that the New York Rangers need one or two more pieces to elevate their game. One option worth exploring is unrestricted free agent forward Jonathan Marchessault of the Vegas Golden Knights,” Walsh wrote. “This goes against the idea that the Rangers need to get younger, bigger, and stronger, but Marchessault could be a game-changer as a top-six right wing, playing either with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider or on any new line configuration.”
Marchessault will enter free agency on July 1 after being one of the original members of the Knights when they first entered the NHL.
Walsh believes that Marchessault’s experience and scoring ability could significantly bolster the Rangers’ offensive lineup. However, pursuing him comes with certain risks that the Rangers should consider.
Why the Rangers Should Pursue Jonathan Marchessault
Walsh argues that despite the Rangers’ recent focus on acquiring younger, bigger, and stronger players, adding Marchessault could be the move that helps New York succeed in the postseason.
The Rangers recently won more regular-season games than any other franchise in 2024, earning the Presidents’ Trophy. However, they were defeated by Florida in the conference finals and failed to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the tenth consecutive year.
Your Conn Smythe winner, Jonathan Marchessault 👏 pic.twitter.com/5VdCXPNMPG
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 14, 2023
Marchessault, who had an impressive 2024 season in Vegas with 42 goals, would bring valuable experience and proven playoff performance to the team. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, helping the Knights to their first-ever title.
“Marchessault is coming off of a 42-goal season with the Golden Knights, an NHL career-high in his 11th season. He finished with 69 points, just shy of his 75-point career best,” Walsh wrote. “He’s a seven-time 20-goal scorer and has scored 30 or more three times. He’s durable and consistent, and would be a big upgrade for the Rangers.”
Marchessault’s 69-point 2024 season was near a career-high, just 6 points short of his best. Walsh highlighted that in 102 career postseason games, Marchessault has scored 76 points with a plus-37 rating.
“His lack of size does not deter Marchessault when the games get more difficult,” Walsh wrote, referring to the playoffs. Marchessault scored 25 points in 22 postseason games on his way to winning the championship in 2023 and the Conn Smythe award.
Marchessault’s Appeal as a Top-Tier Free Agent
Greg Wyshynski of ESPN and Peter Baugh of The Athletic have recognized Marchessault as a top free agent in separate reports published in June.
Wyshynski categorizes Marchessault as a “Tier 1: Impact Player” free agent, defined as an “established player who can play key roles immediately for a team.”
“Marchessault has seen a roster of original Golden Misfits leaving Las Vegas during his time with the franchise due to age and salary cap considerations. He’s the leading scorer in Golden Knights history and won the Conn Smythe in their Stanley Cup championship season in 2023,” Wyshynski wrote.
Baugh discussed the Rangers’ options at right wing, emphasizing Marchessault’s high value on the market. However, he acknowledged that signing him might be challenging for the Rangers.
“Marchessault feels like a bit of a longshot. He is coming off a 42-goal season and the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy, so he’d likely be expensive. The 33-year-old would certainly add to the Rangers’ roster if Drury somehow made a deal work, and the veteran is a proven postseason performer,” Baugh wrote.
Jonathan Marchessault scores for the second straight game to get the game's opening goal. pic.twitter.com/KO8AUJNU9C
— Golden Knights Radio (@VGKRadioNetwork) January 19, 2024
Financial Risks and Possible Contract Demands
Walsh cautions about the financial aspects and risks involved in signing Marchessault. He believes it is essential for the Rangers to avoid long-term commitments that might not pay off as Marchessault ages past his current 33 years.
“If the Rangers are willing to pursue Marchessault, they must do so with some caution,” Walsh wrote. “It would not be wise to overspend for the forward, as his production will inevitably start to decline in years to come.”
Marchessault recently completed a six-year, $30 million contract with an annual cap hit of $5 million. Walsh thinks the Rangers could offer the veteran a “two- or three-year contract, even in the $7 million per range,” which he believes would be “a great move.”
The Rangers enter the offseason with $13.7 million in cap space following the San Jose Sharks’ claim of Barclay Goodrow on June 19.