Jonathan Marchessault

History

2008-09: Jonathan Marchessault was one of seven players for the Quebec Remparts to finish with 50 or more points in his second QMJHL season. In 62 regular season games he scored 18 goals with 35 assists and was plus-31 with 75 penalty minutes. The Remparts finished first in the East Division with the QMJHL’s third-best mark and reached the playoff semifinals.  Marchessault scored 2 goals with 4 assists and was plus-two with 10 penalty minutes in 14 playoff games.

2009-10: One of three players to skate in all 68 games for Quebec in his third season with the Remparts, Marchessault finished as the team’s third-leading scorer. He scored 30 goals with 41 assists and was plus-24 with 54 penalty minutes. Quebec finished first in the East Division and reached the playoff quarterfinals. Marchessault scored 3 goals with 11 assists and was plus-one with 14 penalty minutes in nine playoff games.

2010-11: Marchessault had a big season for Quebec as a 20-year-old – leading the Remparts in scoring and being selected to the QMJHL’s first all star team. He scored 40 goals with 55 assists, skating in all 68 games, and was plus-33 with 41 penalty minutes. He was particularly dangerous on the power play, scoring 10 of his goals with the man-advantage. After again finishing first in the East Division, the Remparts reached the playoff semifinals. Despite not reaching the finals, Marchessault led all playoff scorers in assists (22) and points (33).

2011-12: Marchessault, after not being drafted despite his scoring exploits in junior hockey, was invited to training camp by the New York Rangers and signed to an AHL contract by their affiliate Connecticut. He had a great rookie season in professional hockey and he and Connecticut Whale teammate Mats Zuccarello were selected to play in the 2012 AHL All Star Classic. Marchessault finished the year with 24 goals and 40 assists – sharing the Whale’s point lead with veteran Kris Newbury – and was tenth in the AHL in scoring. Connecticut reached the playoffs after finishing second in the Northeast Division and advanced to the second round. In nine playoff games, Marchessault netted four goals and was minus-one with 26 penalty minutes.

2012-13: Marchessault signed a three-year entry-level contract with Columbus in July 2012 and  made his NHL debut in late January, playing in two games for the Blue Jackets. He was the leading scorer for Columbus AHL affiliate Springfield. Marchessault had no points nor penalty minutes and was -1, averaging 11 minutes of ice time, in his two-game stint with the Blue Jackets. He led the Falcons in goals (21) and assists (46) and was +20 with 65 penalty minutes in 74 AHL games. Springfield finished first in the Northeast Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. In eight playoff games Marchessault had 3 assists and was -2 with 8 penalty minutes.

2013-14: Marchessault spent the bulk of his third pro season with Columbus AHL affiliate Springfield before being acquired by the Lightning along with Dalton Smith in exchange for Matt Taormina and Dana Tyrell in March 2014; finishing the year with Tampa Bay affiliate Syracuse. He was the third-leading scorer for Springfield before being traded and finishing the year with the Crunch. In 77 regular season games between the two teams he scored 23 goals with 33 assists and was -10 with 59 penalty minutes. Syracuse finished fifth in the East Division, missing the AHL playoffs.

2014-15: Marchessault played two NHL regular season games for the Lightning — spending most of his fourth pro season with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. He was -1 in a cameo appearance with the Lightning in October and scored the first goal of his NHL career in an April 11th game against Boston. Marchessault appeared in one playoff game in the Lightning’s second round series with Montreal, finishing with no points or penalties in 11:15 minutes of ice time. Marchessault led Syracuse in scoring during the regular season, scoring 24 goals with a team-leading 43 assists in 68 games and was +7 with 38 penalty minutes. The Crunch moved to the Northeast Division in the re-aligned AHL, finishing second behind Hartford, and were swept by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a best-of-five first round playoff series. Marchessault was -5 with no points nor penalties in three playoff games.

Talent Analysis

Marchessault lacks some of the measurables and high-end technical skills associated with scoring forwards but has consistently put up big numbers at the AHL level due to his gritty style of play and high compete level. He has always been a pass-first player and has the ability to make the players he is skating with more dangerous. His positional play, particularly when it comes to defensive responsibilities, has been a challenge but has shown some improvement since his junior career.

Future

Marchessault was signed to a one-year, two-way contract in late June and will again provide organizational depth. He’ll compete for a spot on Tampa at training camp, but unless he is much improved from past seasons, it’ll likely be another year of dominating the AHL while earning games in the NHL as an injury replacement.