The Vegas Golden Knights are going to have a lot of trouble keeping many of their players and the Nashville Predators should be there to strike on a couple of players if they become available and hit free agency this summer. The two forwards to keep an eye on from Vegas are Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault. Both are top-6 forwards that can be very useful to the Predators either short-term or long term. The Predators have fewer options down the middle to fill a top-6 center spot, which is why Stephenson should be very much on their radar. As for Marchessault, why wouldn't Nashville be interested in a Conn Smythe winner, even if he is 33 years old. The Predators are ready to win now and extend that for many years. The team has the cap space to be able to even nab both of these players if the Golden Knights can't bring them back with the limited cap space and considering contract talks haven't begun for either of them with one month until free agency opens. Marchessault had some choice words in regards to contract talks. He is interested in re-signing with the Golden Knights and wanted to get a contract done last summer when first able to. Vegas didn't choose to and Marchessault had a great season, scoring 42 goals and 69 points in 82 games. The veteran winger also said that, "technically, as an organization, you've signed a player for six years, right? So you have the full six years and after you can deal with it, so we'll see." Marchessault seems like he wanted something done sooner and he will hit free agency if a contract can't be decided upon in short order. Marchessault can score goals, play physically, has that needed playoff experience, and is a winner. These are all great qualities that Barry Trotz is looking for. The Predators can offer much more than Vegas and many other teams as well. Nashville Predators forward Jason Zucker speaks to the media following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. While Marchessault is going to have a larger than $5 million AAV contract this time around, Stephenson is also set for a big raise and has very likely priced himself out of Vegas. Stephenson just turned 30 years old, is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, and his cap hit was $2.75 million AAV for the last four years. At times, Stephenson has served as the number one center on the Golden Knights, he is strong at both ends of the ice, and scored 16 goals and 51 points in 75 games this season. He was coming off of back-to-back 64+ point seasons, so he can produce much more than he showed this season. I definitely do not expect both players to be back with the Golden Knights, thus making at least one a great target for the Predators this offseason. Even if it's a bit of an overpayment like many are in free agency, Nashville has more than enough cap space and would be better after the signing. Free agency is coming quickly and there isn't much time for deals to get done before the Predators can pounce. RECENT PREDATORS NEWS L'Heureux Making a Case for NHL Roster Spot with Predators Next Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/lheureux-making-a-case-for-nhl-roster-spot-with-predators-next-season] Toffoli Linked to Predators by NHL Insider [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/toffoli-linked-to-predators-by-nhl-insider] Josi Wins Silver, Crowned Best Defenseman at IIHF World Championship [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/josi-wins-silver-crowned-best-defenseman-at-iihf-world-championship] Podcast: Will a Former Predators Player or Coach Hoist the Stanley Cup in June? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/podcasts/podcast-will-a-former-predators-player-or-coach-hoist-the-stanley-cup-in-june]
