Toronto Maple Leafs: Patrick Marleau Signing and Analysis
Patrick Marleau has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Do my eyes deceive me or did Marleau really just sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
The #Leafs announced today the signing of F Patrick Marleau to a 3-year contract. The annual average value of the contract is $6.25 million.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) July 2, 2017
Yes, yes, he did.
Wow, what a surprise and I’m kind of happy I wrote about the three years thing earlier.
Pleasantly even because my little idea of James van Riemsdyk being shipped out for a top pairing right handed defender seems even more likely now.
I like van Riemsdyk, but there’s just no way the Leafs can resign him, so sell, sell, sell.
It’s too good to pass up right now because his stock is through the roof and I’m thinking this could quite possibly be an indication of what’s to come.
Anyways, this is about Marleau, so let’s talk about him.
I’m going to give a little history on one of Mike Babcock’s favorite players, break down the signing and some analysis.
Patrick Marleau
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Marleau was drafted second overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft to the San Jose Sharks and has since racked up 508 goals and 1,082 points in 1,493 games played.
He’s also added 68 goals and 120 points in 177 playoffs games but has never won a Stanley Cup.
Huh, must think he can win in Toronto, eh?
Well, that my friends is a grizzled NHL veteran.
Just last year alone at the ripe old age of 37, he produced 27 goals and 46 points in a full 82 games played.
Here’s an interesting statistic for you, Marleau has played a full 82 game season for four consecutive years.
Add on the 2012-13 lockout year, plus three more full 82 game seasons before that, so technically eight consecutive seasons where every regular season game was played.
Wow, at the age too.
Okay, now to the deal.
Contract
As the above tweet reads, Marleau signed a three-year contract with an annual average value of $6.25 million.
That’s a grand total of $18.75 million.
He’s now the highest-paid Leafs player, not to mention the oldest as well.
The Leafs will have to shed some money because they’re a little over the cap as of right now.
Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.
History and Analysis
They should probably just slap an ‘A’ on him too while they’re at it, oh my, what about the captainship?
I wouldn’t rule that out.
Give it to Lou Lamoriello and the boys for keeping things quiet about their interest in Marleau.
He’s played under Babcock on two separate occasions, the 2010 and 2014 Canadian Olympic Team where gold was clinched both times.
Remember when I said he’s played in every game for the last four years?
Well, that’s not all.
He’s actually only missed 31 games ever while playing for the Sharks.
How’s that for durable?
I’m happy about this, even if van Riemsdyk stays with the team because the Leafs just got seriously good, seriously fast.
Are they considered contenders yet?
Time will tell.
Lineup
Now to the forward lineup as it was before the deal was struck.
Zach Hyman – Auston Matthews – William Nylander
van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Mitchell Marner
Leo Komarov – Nazem Kadri – Connor Brown
Matt Martin – Dominic Moore – Kasperi Kapanen
Extras: Josh Leivo and Nikita Soshnikov
Okay, but where does Marleau fit?
Well, the Leafs can juggle the wingers, but the odd man out has to be van Riemsdyk.
Marleau’s going in the lineup somehow.
I’ll leave that here and you can slot Marleau in, so tell me in the comments section below what’s going to happen with these lines or at least what you want to happen.
Did the Leafs overpay, does it matter?
Tell me.