Next up on Predlines player previews for the 2025-26 season is forward Jonathan Marchessault. The 34-year-old is coming off a down year in the goal department. Is this the year we see him return to his glory days?
Marchessault may have found his perfect place in the Predators lineup after lining up on the veteran third line along with Erik Haula and Michael Bunting in the season-opening win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Jonathan Marchessault's 2024-25 Stats for Nashville Predators
78 games, 21 goals, 56 points, -29 +/-
Will the Youth Movement Pressure Marchessault Out of Top Minutes?
Marchessault was a consistent face on Nashville's top line last season. Paired alongside Filip Forsberg and either Steven Stamkos or Ryan O'Reilly, Marchy saw a good amount of ice time. He had the fourth most TOI/G among his forward peers with just under 18 minutes. When he was with Vegas, he was their number one winger. With Nashville, he's tied for the second best with Stammer.
However, his role might slowly begin to fade away as a new chapter of Predators hockey unfolds. Brady Martin looks to take on a massive role to at least begin the season as he takes first line center. As a result, O'Reilly will be pushed his wing. Stammer and Joakim Kemell will control the wings on the second line which brings Marchy to the third line.
Then you also have to account for Luke Evangelist'a return after signing his new two-year contract. He figures to also battle for top-six minutes.
Predators lines vs Blue Jackets:
— 32 Hockey Updates (@32HockeyUpdates) October 9, 2025
Forsberg - Martin - O’Reilly
Stamkos -Svechkov - Kemell
Bunting - Haula - Marchessault
Smith - McCarron - Jost
Wilsby - Josi
Skjei -Perbix
Stastney - Barron
Saros
Annunen
Injured: Wood, Hague.
Scratched: Evangelista, Blankenburg, Wiesblatt.…
At a salary of $5.5M, Nashville will have to deal with paying big money for their third line. Despite the questionable decision, I really like this for the Preds. The younger guys are getting more icetime to help their development and the veterans seem to be on board with it. Along with being a cup winner, he's a good leader and is very vocal in the locker room so it's very sportsman of him to do this.
Not only is Marchessault benefitting the youth, but he's also benefitting himself. He'll still get top minutes on the powerplay which is always a plus. He's paired with an excellent centerman in Haula and a solid winger in Bunting. He has played with all of them at one point or another in his career so it's not like he'll have problems adapting to their playstyle.
In the long term, I don't see Marchessault being a third liner; He'll likely move back once the rookies either get sent down in the lineup or to the minors.