Predators win Steven Stamkos sweepstakes, sign Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei: Sources

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 25: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates the puck in the second period against the Florida Panthers during Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 25, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
By Pierre LeBrun and Julian McKenzie
Jul 1, 2024

The Nashville Predators agreed to deals with Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei on Monday, signing each to multi-year deals, per league sources.

The signing brings an end to the Stamkos sweepstakes, as the longtime Tampa Bay Lightning captain will now suit up in a different uniform for the first time in his career.

His four-year deal worth $8 million annually ends months of speculation about his future whilst facing the prospect of being a pending unrestricted free agent.

Stamkos was selected first by the Lightning in the 2008 NHL Draft. During his time with Tampa Bay, he won two Stanley Cups and received the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy twice for leading the league in goals. Stamkos scored 555 goals and 1,137 points in 1,082 career games, adding 50 goals and 101 career points in 128 career playoff games.

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Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Stamkos told the media he was “disappointed” that there had been no contract talks to that point and he had hoped his future would’ve been resolved come training camp. Stamkos played out the final year of his eight-year, $68 million contract, scoring 40 goals and 81 points in 79 games. In January, Lightning GM Julien BriseBois told the media he wouldn’t trade his captain at the trade deadline “under any circumstances.” BriseBois then told the media he engaged with Stamkos in contract talks back in May and was very “hopeful” to re-sign him.

But both sides couldn’t agree, and Stamkos is now a member of the Predators.

Marchessault, an original member of the Vegas Golden Knights “misfits,” also cashed in on the open market. He was ranked seventh on Chris Johnston’s free-agent board in May.

The Quebec-born forward joined the Golden Knights via the 2017 expansion draft after being left exposed by the Florida Panthers. The following June, he helped the Golden Knights to a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final during their inaugural season. Marchessault would eventually get his Stanley Cup ring, and playoff MVP honors, during the 2023 season when he helped Vegas defeat Florida in five games.

Marchessault leaves as franchise leader in goals (192), assists (225), points (417), games played (514), power-play goals (42), game-winning goals (32), hat tricks (5), playoff goals (36) and playoff points (75). The 33-year-old forward has also played for Columbus and Tampa Bay throughout his 11-year career.

Joining them in Nashville will be 30-year-old Skjei, who was ranked No. 5 on Johnston’s free-agent board back in May.

Skjei recorded 13 goals and 47 points in 80 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, the most points he’s ever recorded in a season. The defenseman spent the last five seasons with the Hurricanes, scoring 43 goals and 135 points over 302 games. He was traded to Carolina from the New York Rangers during the 2019-20 season.

The Minnesota native began his career with the New York Rangers after being selected 28th in the 2012 NHL Draft.

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(Photo: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)

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