For some reason I see Marchessault getting traded for a superstar goaltender. I'm not talking about Hellebuyck either.
But if Vegas trades Marchessault that'll be their all-time lowest move. I even wonder if that team will ever retire numbers.
I don't think you understand that Vegas doesn't have to work on the same premises that most other NHL teams do.
Vegas, Tampa, Rangers as examples.
Those teams could shit can the entire Team. And 80% of the players in the league would line up begging to be traded or sign there as UFA's. It's a luxury Vegas has realized and implements. It's why those teams are so bloody successful. Go there and don't perform.. shit canned (traded, left to rot in minors, ignored, then not resigned.. whatever they can do). That just doesn't work for a lot of the teams in the league.
I guess what I'm saying is that the factors that determine if a player wants to play in that city considerably favor those teams. QUITE considerably favor. The biggest reason is they're such destinations that they can keep competitive, which is one of the biggest drivers of player motivations for chosing a destination.
A hyperbole to illustrate the point. Vegas can trade Marchessault. Go on social media and tell him to "f*** off and never come back" with the confidence that his replacement.. whether it be from trade or UFA will not only sign, but at a discount. All while having the replacement signing all years in his effective window due to age. While Calgary would be forced to re-sign him at an increased premium into retirement years where half or more of the contract is a hindrance.
Vegas has 1 player.. 1 player signed past 35 and That's Pietrangelo to age 37.
The Flames have 4 players signed past 35... 4 f***ing players they had to beg... by giving years into their late 30's to sign there.
And we wonder why non-destination markets in Canada, Buffalo, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Columbus, etc don't win cups. The best chance they have is winning a generational lottery and driving hype to get players to play there without the "Non-Destination" premium. And that team just lost to Vegas. So even that hasn't proven fruitful.
There's all this talk about parity but for the most part of the last 30 years most Stanley cup winners have been at what most people would consider "Destination" cities. Vegas is probably the team that is most aware of this situation and takes advantage of it. I don't blame them one bit.. they're their to win and If Calgary gets f***ed over... all the better for them. It's not like Calgary fans are going to stop coming to watch.