Predators Marchessault up-to-par, re-united: “Just trying to help my team win games.”

Marchessault's history with Stamkos, adjusting to Nashville, life away from the rink

(Marchessault/ C/ Main Street Media)

By Anthony Pellegrino @Pellegrinoap50 IceInsider.com Predators All Access Reporter

NASHVILLE--One of the only things that didn't change for veteran forward Jonathan Marchessault, when arriving to Nashville was his jersey color. Well, you could count the Las Vegas gold to the Predators darker shade of yellow as a change.

Playing in his first season with the Predators, also marked the beginning of a new season of life for the 34-year-old forward. He was an original member of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, playing on the inaugural team in 2017, up until last season.

While he had his fare share of team-jumping in the early stages of his career, from Columbus to Tampa, and Florida to Las Vegas in a matter of five seasons, it marks the first time in his career he'd bring along a family to a new city.

All four children, born in Las Vegas, witnessed their father hoist the Stanley Cup in the summer of 2023. Off the ice, finding the right school for his children, the right house, and familiarity with the area became priorities off the ice. Along with a place to play hockey for the eldest sons, now with the Nashville Jr Predators.

Happening all while Jonathan was preparing for his 12th season in the NHL.

Perhaps managing the relocation to Nashville, including new systems under Andrew Brunette attributed to his mere two goals in 20 games to begin the season.

(Marchessault and Forsberg/ C/ Tennesseean)

"(It’s) a new environment, new team, new linemates . . . there's a period of adjustment.” Said Marchessault several games into the season.

Leading to December, the Predators first line remained unclear. Ryan O'Reilly, Tommy Novak, and Gustav Nyquist all made appearances on the top line; while Brunette searched for the right chemistry.

Another free agent signing Steven Stamkos, faced a similar situation to Marchessault. It was the first time in his career that he found himself in a new city, after the Tampa Bay Lightning elected to part ways upon free agency. Bringing a wife and three kids to Nashville with him.

Parting ways with the team that drafted him as an 18-year-old was an adjustment for Stamkos, evidently off the ice. In the first eight games, scoring just one goal and no assists.

One of the biggest factors was that Andrew Brunette and the Nashville Predators didn't have a set-in-stone first line until around mid-November.

Stamkos switched back to center for the first time in years, something the team talked about in free agency. Now that the first line featuring Forsberg-Stamkos-Marchessault is clear, production continues to ascend consistently for the first full month of the season.

Marchessault and Stamkos have somewhat of a tucked-in history together, typically lost in Marchessault's legacy with the Golden Knights. He spent parts of two seasons (2014-2016), as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightening.

While they did not play together, they competed for a Stanley Cup in 2015 making it to the finals, falling in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. Although Marchessault only played two games in the playoffs, they grew a bond that can be re-united now on the Nashville.

(Marchessault and Stamkos/ Tampa 2016/ Getty)

Following December when the Predators played 13 games, Marchessault had ten goals and five assists, including an eight-game point streak. Now, he leads the Predators in goals (14).

“Just helping my team win hockey games,” Marchessault said following a 5-2 victory to Carolina…“I think that’s my mindset every night Just trying to work, right now it’s going better than the start (of the year).”

Away from the rink, Marchessault's kids are adjusting to hockey life with the Nashville Jr Predators. They play on the same U-8 team as Stamkos's son Carter. Along with the O'Reilly, and Schenn's kids. “We’re all hockey dads together,” Schenn said, and they also run into each other at school drop-off and pick-up.

Although the season didn't start the way Nashville expected, beginning next season adjusted to the city, lifestyle, and roles on the ice will give the team a chance to compete from the start of the season.

Ice Insider is your go-to source for Predators news, updates, and more!