Marchessault Enters Preds Camp Revitalized Following Summer Refresh, Opportunity to Mentor Bourque

Jonathan Marchessault wasn’t sure what to think. 

Over the last decade, the winger had become accustomed to producing offensively - putting the puck in the opposition’s net with regularity and setting up teammates when he wasn’t. 

So, when his final stat line last season read just 12 goals and 31 points - the lowest full-season totals of his career - he knew something had to change. 

"You never expect to have a bad year like I had last year, so everything was really new to me,” Marchessault said Friday at Preds Training Camp. “I could have just kept going and said, ‘That's a fluke,’ or something like that. But this summer, I just took a different approach. I changed workouts, I changed trainers, I changed everything, and I definitely improved my workouts and my dedication to my professionalism. So, I think it translates to how I feel on the ice this year so far. I tell myself it can't be worse than last year.”

Marchessault has no intention of feeling that way again, and the 35-year-old sounded plenty rejuvenated following the second day of on-ice practices at Preds Training Camp. 

The offseason revamp certainly played a factor, but the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP revealed other reasons for the fresh outlook, too. 

For one, he’s excited to play for the new boss. 

Marchessault had a bit of familiarity with new Predators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland from their time together in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. 

Undrafted, Marchessault played the first two games of his NHL career in Columbus when MacFarland was an assistant general manager. 

But when the news broke of MacFarland’s move to Nashville over the summer, it was a call from a trusted figure that got Marchessault on board. 

“I heard from my agent, and he’s like, ‘You wouldn't believe who's the new GM. He's legit. Like, this guy has been there, and he’s been one of the best GMs for multiple years now, and he's one of the best ones out there,’” Marchessault said of MacFarland. “We’re really lucky to have him. I always joke with my friends back home, like, a hockey head, you can't buy it. You either have it or you don't. So, it’s obvious he’s one of them that has it. We’re lucky to have him on our side. And like [Steven Stamkos] said yesterday, I think we're there to buy in and not question what he's doing, because he always has a plan. He has something coming up, so I think it's really comforting to be around this, and it's promising as well.”

One of MacFarland’s offseason acquisitions - 24-year-old forward Mavrik Bourque, who was dealt from the Dallas Stars - has also given Marchessault some added responsibility. 

A fellow Québécois, Marchessault reached out to Bourque once the trade was complete, and it wasn’t long before the veteran forward was inviting Bourque to his lake house in Quebec before the two headed back to Tennessee. 

“Mav reminds me of a young kid a little bit, like when I started,” Marchessault said of Bourque. “A lot of energy, a lot of confidence; he’s a great player, and it's definitely a breath of fresh air to have a guy like that coming in a locker room. He has a lot of energy. He's funny. It's fun to be around, and we worked in the summer together on the ice, but we never knew each other. As soon as he joined my team, we started being closer, texting, and I invited him to one of the fun nights that I would do at my lake house and stuff. And that's where you build bonding. He’s awesome to be around, and as soon as you arrive here in Nashville that day, we went out for dinner and stuff like that. So, definitely happy to have him around, and he's definitely going to become one of my good friends.”

“He's been helping me a lot, invited me over a few times this summer, and he's been talking to me a lot,” Bourque said of Marchessault. “It's always nice to have someone that I can talk French with, and he's a funny guy too, so he always makes the atmosphere better.”

The two have been building a rapport on the ice as they’ve skated on the same line together during the first two days of camp, a combo that figures to receive at least a few looks as the preseason ramps up. 

And for Marchessault, taking Bourque under his wing felt like the obvious thing to do as a veteran player, especially when it comes to budding off-ice chemistry - something that can often be just as important. 

“It is natural, and it’s part of the job,” Marchessault said. “It’s how you build relationships. I remember the older guys that were nice to me… [I was] in those shoes before, so I remember the ones that were really nice for me, and I remember the ones that were not nice. So, you decide what kind of veteran you want to be around, and I think I'm more of an inclusive kind of guy. I want to make sure everybody feels good, and it's part of my role here as the team chemistry builds.”

Others have noticed a difference in Marchessault as well, especially on the ice after the first two days of practice with he and Bourque skating together - a welcomed sign as the Preds ramp up the pace at camp with Opening Night less than two weeks away.

“I think what we saw the last two days was really encouraging,” Preds Head Coach Andrew Brunette said of Marchessault. “You can tell he's put the work in in the summer. He looks rejuvenated, obviously excited to play with Mavrik, and I thought he’s had a really good first two days for us.”

If the Preds are to find success this season, they’re going to need everyone, and No. 81 is no exception. Marchessault knows that too, and he’s never been more determined to be a part of the solution in getting a team that missed a playoff spot by four points last season back into contention. 

And while saying the right things is just one part of the equation, it won’t be long before Marchessault gets the chance to prove his summer revamp was worth it. 

“I think some of [missing the playoffs last season] is [on] me, and I take accountability to that,” Marchessault said. “But this year, I want to make sure that I can help my team and help the production to be good on and off the ice."