It was somewhat surprising when Patrick Marleau signed a new one-year, $700K contract with the San Jose Sharks last October. Not because he had lost any love for the franchise that he spent two decades leading, but because the Sharks didn’t appear to be in a position to give him a chance at what he had always lacked–the Stanley Cup.
Marleau has gone chasing a ring before, signing a three-year deal with the upstart Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017 and then embracing a trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins at last year’s trade deadline. Returning to San Jose, who had gone 29-36-5 in 2019-20 and were bringing back largely the same roster, seemed like he was giving up any chance at the Cup this season and instead focusing on breaking the all-time games played record with the franchise he knows best. Marleau now sits just 15 games behind Gordie Howe’s 1,767 regular season contests, a record that for a long time seemed unbreakable.
But now, speaking with Kevin Kurz of The Athletic, Marleau explained that he would “seriously consider” another move to a contender if one were to approach the Sharks about him, noting that winning a Stanley Cup is still the goal. The 41-year-old doesn’t actually have any trade protection in his contract, but would likely be part of the conversation with San Jose management about a deadline deal given his legacy status with the team.
Of course, Marleau’s play has drastically declined, to the point where acquiring him may not necessarily be a good idea for a contender. He has just one goal and five points in 29 games this season, and though part of that is the struggling Sharks roster, part of it is a 41-year-old player trying to keep up. In four postseason games with the Penguins last season he failed to record a point, meaning that third-round pick Pittsburgh used to get him didn’t have much return on investment. Hard to imagine a lot of clubs racing to do the same thing, especially given the added quarantine protocols and cap issues that are plaguing the NHL trade market.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Im sorry but even his experience and leadership wouldn’t be worth it for a contender. Depth guys traded for at the deadline need to be like Coleman and Goodrow, not an aging Patrick Marleau. Maybe somebody could pick him up and stash him on a taxi squad, otherwise they may as well just claim guys who can keep up and play like Boyd or Vesey off waivers for depth.
“…Marleau’s play has drastically declined…” – unfortunately, truer words have not been written today, @Gavin. I love Patty Marleau, but “falling off of the cliff” is one of the more accurate descriptors for where his game is. It’s almost as though he can’t wait to set the games played record, let out a big gust of pent-up wind from the old lungs and say “I’m done!” I hate seeing some guys’ careers come to this, but Father Time is truly undefeated. And, to offer himself up for a trade in continued COVID times is especially disheartening. It would be nice to see him hoist the cup, but today’s cap world may not allow it. We’ll get to see him tonight on NHL.com’s free game.
Too bad Jim Rutherford isn’t currently employed
@fasicad – GMJR just *might* be tempted to trade five #1 picks for him!
Perron. Kessel. Reaves. Brassard. Zucker. Kapanen.
That’s what Jimmy got for his first round picks.
Pretty impressive and it would look even better if…
A) Sully knew how to use Reaves and actually did so enough to justify keeping him.
B) Brassard didn’t morph into a lazy wretched DOG here.
He won 2 Stanley Cups making very timely trades. Many say he lost the trades at the time
He was the right man for the job in Pittsburgh at the time. Now was not the right time. Need assets. Don’t rewrite history. One of the better GMs of his era.
I don’t think he would hurt defensively,he could chip in the odd PP point,but not a difference maker game to game. Jagr has more in the tank.
Oddly enough,wouldn’t you think he would want to break the record in SJ? To me,it’s either SJ or Detroit.
Plus,what if he’s traded,has to wait two Covid weeks,and somehow misses the 15?
Back to Toronto!!!
@lapcheung39 – Back to Carolina! Don Waddell & Brindy open the door, saying “What are you doing here?!”, then semi-politely close said door.
“bus was late. very late”
@DarkSide830 – Blame it on those pesky stone wheels, poached off of Fred Flintstone’s rig! :) Yabba-dabba-doo!
Wonder what team they will scam a 3rs round pick out of this deadline.
1 goal and 4 assists??? sign me up…….
If you need a guy to skate around a lot and constantly let the puck gently roll off his stick right to an opposing player, Marleau is your guy.
I’m sure he’s wishing he was clowning around in Toronto with Joe.
Retire when it is your time, kids. Do not tarnish your legacy with ego when you are a flatulent, tired old man.
I mean a 7th or 8th seems to be about all he would fetch and he only has to wait the 2 weeks if he goes to canada i believe. Im not sure what hes like for face offs anymore but im sure he wouldnt hurt any team as the 12th or 13th forward. Espically if SJ retains half so paddy is only 375k towards the cap if teams are allowed to retain anything on the minimum salary that is
Just break the record in a Sharks uniform and retire.