The San Jose Sharks have signed free-agent center Patrick Marleau to a contract. It is a one-year deal worth $700,000. Marleau became a UFA after being bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes on June 28th.
HE’S BACK IN TEAL!
Welcome back, Patrick Marleau! pic.twitter.com/jyFczqWrJy
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 8, 2019
$700,000. https://t.co/v1cQSyNyxm
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 8, 2019
Patrick Marleau Joins Sharks
Marleau
Over his 21-year NHL career Marleau has played for the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He has put up 551 goals and 615 assists for 1166 career points in 1657 career games. Marleau also has 72 goals and 55 assists for 127 career Stanley Cup Playoff points in 191 career games. He was originally drafted second overall of the 1997 NHL Draft by the Sharks.
Last season he scored 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points. He also added 28 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 50.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -1.9. Marleau also added two assists in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games last season.
What This Means for the Future
After being traded to the Leafs and then bought out by the Hurricanes the future was unclear for Marleau until now. There is no question that Marleau still has some gas in the tank after putting up 16 goals last season. He can still be a guy who can be a third or fourth-line winger if he’s not playing up the middle. The Sharks originally didn’t plan on signing him but injuries have seemed to change their minds on that. With such a cheap deal it will be easy to fit him under the cap.
With his experience, Marleau would be a great player to have in the locker room to help and mentor younger players. He also would be a huge help with playoff experience if his new club qualified for the playoffs next season. Expect this to be Marleau’s farewell tour in the NHL after 21 years in the NHL.
