Marleau only wants San Jose
@Account4hockey: Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet 590 said that Patrick Marleau only wants to play in San Jose, so that would mean a direct trade with the Sharks or to a team that buys him out and then to sign with the Sharks.
The Sharks are not ready to commit to either option at the moment.
Teams are wanting the Maple Leafs to include an asset like Kasperi Kapanen to take on Marleau’s contract. Similar to when the Chicago Blackhawks packaged Teuvo Teravainen with Bryan Bickell.
Marcus White of NBC Sports: Nick Kypreos on Patrick Marleau and the San Jose Sharks.
“So right now, my understanding is San Jose’s not sure yet,” Kypreos said. ” Doug Wilson’s in a position to say, ‘Yeah, maybe I’m interested, but not certainly at the price of the last year of the contract.’ So, I would probably believe that a third team would need to get involved, a team that needs to get to the floor. The Leafs would have to entice that team to take contract, and have to give up something. And then if were to buy out Marleau, then San Jose could come in and sign him at a number that they’re satisfied with.”
If the Maple Leafs were to retain 50 percent of Marleau’s contract – $3.125 million – it would still likely be too much for them.
Brodie Brazil: “I think before anything else, we’d need to establish that Marleau would be used in a different role than before – similar to how 19 became super effective last year with a few less minutes and a ‘3rd line’ center spot.
I’m going to be honest, there weren’t many logistical scenarios I ever saw that could have brought Patty back to San Jose. But the Sharks & Leafs respective positions… it’s interesting.
The ONE thing, and most important of all this… I hope by the end of next regular season, Patty (and Jumbo) are both lined up for another chance to chase that cup. I wish that best case opportunity, and don’t want to see him somewhere non-competitive.”
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 on the Patrick Marleau situation.
“Things have gone fairly quiet on the Marleau front. Maybe that heats up again on the days leading up to the draft, but there is no real sense of urgency there, and Patrick Marleau holds the cards here. If he is willing to go to Arizona or there is another team in the West that has interest, then that might make it more intriguing, but Kyle Dubas is likely the one who initiated conversations with Arizona and potentially Los Angeles because he is trying to find a fit to give himself some cap relief. But that doesn’t mean Patrick Marleau has to be on board with it.”
Dreger adds that Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka said awhile ago that they are open to the idea of taking on a bad contract and potentially buying out if the asset they get along with the contract is worth it.