Daily Nuggets: McCrimmon Argues Marchessault Story; Phil Kessel Job Hunting

The Vegas Golden Knights saga with Jonathan Marchessault is not over. Like a divorcing couple still sniping over who gets the boat, Marchessault said he didn’t get a realistic offer by Sunday, the day before free agency, and Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said his side met with Marchessault’s people on that Sunday, and offered a four-year deal. Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. Also in the Daily, Phil Kessel is still skating hard and hoping for a job. The San Jose Sharks got a good look at their new core with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith in their first game action. And, what should we expect from the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks?

As many of you know, I’m the president of the Hockey Now network, and I fell in love with the real Vegas while covering the 2023 Stanley Cup run. It was wonderful to meet so many of you and see Vegas from beyond the Strip (though I still gambled at Binion’s downtown so I could get the early prime rib or late steak specials on Freemont). I very much miss El Gordo!

We’ve struggled for a few years to find a competent and energetic beat writer to cover the Golden Knights for the network.

Oh, the stories we could tell about some of the failed attempts, including one who took the job, packed his car that night, and drove nonstop from the East Coast to Vegas. Then, a few days later, he quit during training because the pace of the job was too much. We’re interviewing several candidates in the coming week, so we’ll see what happens. Hopefully, the curse doesn’t befall any of the new potential Golden Knights coverage.

Sunday Nuggets are usually a little slow in the offseason, but we’ve got some solid reads below.

Vegas Golden Knights

SinBin: Our buddy Ken had the best layout of the bickering between Marchessault and McCrimmon. Which side do you fall on? Marchessault essentially called the Golden Knights organization cutthroat, while McCrimmon says they indeed offered him a four-year deal that he wanted. Here’s the back-and-forth.

Sportsnet: Phil Kessel is still skating, still looking for a job. The 36-year-old Ironman, who is more known for his snacks and, shall we say, unconventional work ethic, is just eight points shy of 1000. He wants back in.

Vegas Hockey Now: Without Marchessault’s 42 goals, the Golden Knights are gambling on a few players to elevate their game, including Alexander Holtz. Patchwork or potential is the burning question of the Vegas Golden Knights’ offseason.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

San Jose Hockey Now: Golden Knights fans may need to get used to seeing the San Jose Sharks with good players again, especially after seeing the rookie tournament roster with the dynamic duo of Will Smith and first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Speaking of those Sharks, they never quite found a use for Kevin Labanc. Breaking Sunday morning, Labanc is about to sign a PTO with the New Jersey Devils.

Chicago Hockey Now: The rebuilding Blackhawks also have a first-overall pick, but Connor Bedard is a bit above the garden variety top pick. He’s a generational talent, and Chicago is trying to surround him with adequate talent as quickly as possible. So, what should we expect to see this season from the Chicago Blackhawks?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: He’s one of the best players in the world and of all time, but Sidney Crosby is still without a contract beyond this season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman pressed Crosby on hesitating because he was unsure he could live with a team rebuild. Here’s how Crosby answered that and the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ direction.