Mason Marchment Isn’t Changing-And That’s Exactly the Point
Saturday night in Seattle, the Edmonton Oilers weren’t just chasing a win-they were chasing Mason Marchment. The Dallas Stars forward stirred the pot early with a heavy hit on Darnell Nurse, and from that moment on, he was public enemy No. 1 in blue and orange.
The Oilers spent the rest of the night trying to get a piece of him. And while the scoreboard read 4-0 in favor of Edmonton, the real subplot was the brewing tension-one that’s sure to carry over when these teams meet again Thursday in Alberta.
Let’s rewind to the first period. Marchment delivered a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on Nurse just after the puck left his stick.
It wasn’t late. It wasn’t from behind.
And it wasn’t into the boards. In hockey terms, that’s finishing your check.
The officials on the ice let it go. So did the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Still, that didn’t stop the Oilers-and their fans-from seeing red.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins summed up the team’s frustration postgame, saying, “It started with one hit that should’ve been called.” But in the eyes of the rulebook, it was clean.
And in the eyes of Mason Marchment? It was calculated.
A Hit with History
This wasn’t just about Saturday night. There’s history here.
These two teams met in last year’s Western Conference Final, and it got heated. Nurse, at the time, injured Stars forward Roope Hintz with a slash.
Marchment didn’t forget. After that series, he told reporters, “A lot of that stuff, you just keep in the back of your mind, and if the opportunity presents itself, then you take your chance.”
That opportunity came Saturday. And Marchment took it.
What followed was textbook Marchment. He didn’t take the bait when Edmonton’s players tried to drag him into a fight.
He didn’t retaliate when Leon Draisaitl threw not one, but two elbows into his face. He absorbed it.
He smiled. And he let the Oilers take the penalties.
That’s the game within the game. And Marchment plays it well.
The Art of Agitation
There’s a reason players like Marchment are both loved and loathed. They live on the edge, and sometimes over it.
They frustrate opponents, rile up crowds, and tilt the ice in ways that don’t show up on the scoresheet. Think Brad Marchand.
Think the Tkachuk brothers. Go back further-Claude Lemieux, Dale Hunter, Ken Linesman.
These guys made a living being a thorn in the side of anyone wearing a different jersey.
Marchment fits that mold. He’s not trying to win a popularity contest.
He’s trying to win games. And that means doing the dirty work-getting under the skin of the opposition, drawing penalties, and forcing teams to think more about him than the puck.
Take Saturday’s sequence: Marchment gets grabbed by Andrew Mangiapane, eats two elbows from Draisaitl, and ends up drawing a power play for Seattle. That’s impact.
That’s value. And that’s exactly what Dallas signed up for.
Not a Coward-Just Calculated
Some critics pointed fingers after the game, accusing Marchment of hiding behind the officials when Nurse came calling. But the footage tells a different story.
Marchment was face-to-face with Connor Clattenburg, no linesman in sight. When the officials eventually stepped in, it wasn’t because Marchment needed saving-it was because they were doing their job.
Calling him cowardly misses the point. Marchment’s not out there to fight.
He’s out there to disrupt. If he can get your stars off the ice, or better yet, into the box, he’s done his job.
And if he can do it without throwing a punch? Even better.
That’s not cowardice. That’s control.
The Unwritten Code, Rewritten
There’s still a segment of hockey culture that clings to the idea of “answering the bell.” If you throw a big hit, you better be ready to drop the gloves.
But that mindset is fading-and for good reason. With what we now know about head trauma and CTE, the idea that every big hit should lead to a fight feels outdated.
Marchment understands that. He plays on the edge, but he’s smart about it.
He knows when to engage and when to walk away. And if that means taking a few shots to the face while drawing a penalty?
So be it. That’s part of the job.
Love Him or Hate Him-You Know His Name
Marchment’s style isn’t for everyone. If he’s on the other team, he’s infuriating.
If he’s on your team, he’s invaluable. That’s the nature of the role.
And it’s why players like him are always in demand, especially come playoff time. If Dallas decides to move him at the trade deadline, don’t be surprised if a contender comes calling.
Guys like Marchment don’t grow on trees.
Just ask Jake Oettinger. The Dallas goalie was reportedly crushed when the Stars moved on from Marchment. That tells you everything you need to know about how he’s viewed in the room.
Seattle fans may love him now. But if he ends up on another roster in a few months, don’t be shocked if the boos come quick.
That’s the duality of players like Marchment. They’re both the villain and the hero-depending on your colors.
The Bottom Line
Mason Marchment isn’t changing. He’s going to keep throwing big hits.
He’s going to keep chirping. He’s going to keep getting under your skin.
And whether you love it or hate it, he’s going to keep helping his team win.
You don’t have to like the way he plays. But you’d better understand it. Because in today’s NHL, there’s still a place for players who make the game uncomfortable-for everyone but their teammates.