Toronto Maple Leafs: Patrick Marleau Puts Home Up For Sale

The offseason dominoes are beginning to fall for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As if Patrick Marleau‘s time as a Maple Leaf did not already appear in jeopardy, today’s news otherwise cements the notion that it is all but over. Less than one week after Pierre LeBrun reported of Kyle Dubas‘ participation in trade discussions with the Los Angeles Kings that centred around his ageing winger, Marleau has now reportedly taken matters one step further and put his Toronto home up for sale.

It’s a less than surprising development in the grand scheme of things, serving as yet another indication that Marleau will indeed be swapping area codes come next season.

This trail of breadcrumbs has been forming for quite some time. Today’s news arrives mere days after Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos threw more fuel on the fire by positing that Marleau’s family, which includes his wife and four sons, intend on moving back to San Jose after they “found the adjustment to life in Toronto difficult” on the most recent Saturday edition of “Headlines”.

In Kypreos’ exact words:

"Patrick Marleau has made it clear to the Toronto Maple Leafs that he’d like to get closer to his family once again, which means moving to the west coast area."

Again, the pieces of this puzzle are beginning to fall into place.

First, the Maple Leafs begin reportedly courting suitors for Marleau’s services with the NHL Entry Draft gradually creeping closer, a development which admittedly seemed surprising given how much of the 39-year-old’s salary remains on the books. Then, days later, indications that Marleau’s family are supposedly returning to their previous home are reported on national television, suggesting once again that an exit is imminent.

And finally, shortly thereafter, Marleau officially puts his house on the market. All that supposedly remains to close the book on this saga is an official trade announcement.

In spite of all the ongoing speculation, this can only be looked at as a relatively disheartening end to Marleau’s time in Toronto. The veteran winger signed with the team in surprising fashion two summers ago, proceeding to install himself as a staple in the Maple Leafs’ leadership structure while, in addition, serving as more or less of a father figure to both Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

It’s become clear in the years since his arrival that the entire Leafs roster came to consider Marleau as royalty. They loved him. And while his inevitable departure may b looked upon by fans as a welcome one, with how far his performance has declined recently in relation to his cap hit, but Marleau’s absence will indeed be felt within the Maple Leafs’ room and could very well leave a void that they initially struggle to replace.

Regardless of where Marleau eventually ends up in the coming weeks, his legacy as one of hockey’s most consistent and durable performers had been firmly entrenched long ago.

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