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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Have Brought Back Patrick Marleau

By Nick Barden

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during opening ceremonies before a game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during opening ceremonies before a game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Ex Toronto Maple Leafs player Patrick Marleau signed with the San Jose Sharks on a league minimum contract Tuesday.

Marleau signed the cheapest deal possible in the NHL, but I think the Toronto Maple Leafs could’ve, and maybe should’ve taken a gamble on him.

The three-time All-Star was more than just a player on a young Maple Leafs team, he was a veteran and there were many attributes that came along with that.

Maybe the Leafs should have brought him back.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Patrick Marleau

Actions:

Marleau was a perfect example of what any young hockey player should look for in being one of the best. The way he carried himself, to how he spoke and handled every conversation, he was a true pro.

Presence:

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner became closer and closer with Marleau as the seasons went on. Last season, when Matthews couldn’t go home to Arizona for Christmas, Marleau and his wife Christina let him spend the holidays with them.

Experience:

The veteran-forward from Aneroid, Saskatchewan has played in 1657 games – yet he’s never won a Stanley Cup. Though that’s not one of the attributes needed to be classed as a ‘veteran’. Marleau has scored 1166 points throughout his 19-year career. He’s also played in 788 consecutive NHL games.

Why does this all matter?

As the Toronto Maple Leafs are still on the journey to win their first Stanley Cup since 1967, it could’ve helped to have Marleau on the team.

“Just his presence and the way he treated us. Just the way he is, as a player and as a person,” says Matthews looking back on Marleau’s time in Toronto, “We learned quite a bit from him and we had a blast with having him here for the two years that he was here.”

It wasn’t just Matthews and Marner who enjoyed his presence, it was everyone.

His determination to come to work every day and make a difference was incredibly special.

While the Maple Leafs do have veteran Jason Spezza on the fourth line, Marleau’s presence could have helped too.

Spezza and Marleau may not have the skill and speed like the young players, but they do have the brains. Since they’ve been in the league for so long, there’s a lot they can do to help the team.

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But, Marleau was never destined to come back to Toronto after being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on June 22nd, but I think he could’ve fit in on a league minimum deal.

What could’ve been an interesting fourth line for the Maple Leafs, Marleau looks to play his career out with San Jose and make a run for the cup. And maybe, if the Sharks become good enough – he could see his old team in the Stanley Cup finals.

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