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Toronto Maple Leafs: Patrick Marleau Must Adapt to New Tech

By David Scala

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Toronto Maple Leafs center Patrick Marleau (12) creates a screen that forces Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevsky (88) to look around him during the third period of an NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 13, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Toronto Maple Leafs center Patrick Marleau (12) creates a screen that forces Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevsky (88) to look around him during the third period of an NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 13, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The days of using two-piece hockey sticks, and out of market skates for NHL veteran and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Patrick Marleau, are finally over.

Going into the 2018/2019 NHL season, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Patrick Marleau knew in the back of his mind that eventually, he was going to be forced to switch to the new equipment technology of today’s generation. To the average person, brand new equipment at your own disposal sounds like a no-brainer.

But, as we all know, hockey players are just a different breed.

Tradition and Superstition

Hockey players are notoriously known for holding an “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” type of attitude. Equipment is one of the most crucial parts for hockey players, and there have been many superstitions and traditions that have carried through the 100-year existence of the NHL. For Patrick Marleau, he is one of the last remaining NHL players that uses equipment that is no longer in production for the average consumer.

Marleau has been using the same Reebok 9K PUMP skates for over a decade, and uses a two-piece hockey stick. Until recently, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau had been the last two remaining NHL endorsers for the two-piece hockey stick. Thornton finally switched to a one-piece stick full time this past season on route to another solid 51pt year.

All Things Come To An End

Marleau used his final pair of Reebok 9K skates during the Toronto Maple Leafs first-round playoff matchup against the Boston Bruins. Reebok no longer has the 9K PUMP skates in production, which forced Marleau to buy as much stock as he could to delay the inevitable switch he must make today.

When Patrick Marleau signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, most people expected a very good mentor to help the young players mature not only as individuals off the ice, but also on the ice as professionals in the National Hockey League. Marleau started the 2017/2018 season off as if he had been a Leaf for decades, scoring two goals in his first game as a Toronto Maple Leaf.

As consistent as Marleau has been throughout his NHL career, his 2018/2019 season production with the Maple Leafs dipped to below 40 points for the first time in six years. Marleau finished the season with 16 goals, 21 assists for 37 points compared to last season’s 27 goals, 20 assists and 47 points.

The Motivation To Get Better

In seven playoff games against the Boston Bruins, Marleau had two assists while playing 14 minutes a night with William Nylander and Connor Brown. Through the entire seven-game series, that line combined for just one goal for.

Patrick Marleau will play his 22nd year in the NHL next season, but he feels like there is always room to improve his game. Following yet another disappointing game seven loss in Boston, Marleau was very critical of his game during the Toronto Maple Leafs locker room clean out media scrum.

Marleau expressed the need to change his off-season preparation, and switch to a one-piece hockey stick in order to be at his best in 2019/2020.

Don’t You, Forget About Me

Patrick Marleau has a 21-year NHL resume filled with professionalism and consistency, and don’t you forget it! If there is any player who can rebound from a rather disappointing season, it’s Patrick Marleau. With a full summer of training ahead, Marleau will have enough time to test out his new equipment for the 2019/2020 season.

This summer might be the hardest it will ever be for Marleau, and it just might be the most important one as well. Change can be difficult, especially for hockey players; but it is how you respond to change that makes the difference between succeeding and failing.

Next. Four Reasons Why Nylander Won't be Traded. dark

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