Toronto Maple Leafs: Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau?

Which veteran free agent add is a better fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in need of a veteran to help lead a relatively young team as they hope to win a playoff series and hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967. While captain John Tavares is a great leader on the ice and in the clubhouse, he’s only 30 years old.

The Leafs were searching for a player that is truly experienced in the league and someone that has seen it all. They turned their sights to 41-year-old Joe Thornton in which they were competing with his longtime team in the San Jose Sharks for his services.

They ultimately won the pursuit as they agreed on a one year, league minimum deal ($700,000). Playing for his hometown team and chasing a Stanley Cup, something that he has never won, were most likely the biggest factors in choosing Toronto over San Jose who finished in the basement last season.

While they got their veteran, they could have gone after his longtime teammate and former Maple Leaf Patrick Marleau. Did they make the right decision signing Thornton or should they have brought back Marleau? Marleau signed for the same amount as Thornton but did so with the Sharks.

Thornton or Marleau?

Thornton is a former first overall pick back in 1999 which he was selected by the Boston Bruins but has spent the past 15 seasons with the Sharks. In his career, he’s appeared in 1,636 games scoring 420 goals with 1,089 assists for 1,509 points (nhl.com).

Last season, he played in 70 games scoring seven goals along with 24 assists for 31 points, his lowest point total since his rookie year. He also only took 76 shots on net.

Meanwhile Marleau has appeared in 1,723 games and is only 45 contests away from surpassing the great Gordie Howe from having the all time games played record. He’s scored 562 goals with 626 assists for 1,188 points (nhl.com).

From 2017-2019 which he spent with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he appeared in every single game scoring 43 goals along with 41 assists while spending lots of time on the ice alongside Auston Matthews.

Last season with the Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins, he played in 66 games scoring 11 goals and assists apiece.  As they’re both 41 years old, Thornton has had a better career but Marleau is the more productive offensive player, scoring more goals while also helping out on others. But this isn’t what the Leafs needed.

The Leafs needed a true veteran. Someone who can be a leader in the clubhouse while logging garbage time minutes on the fourth line. While Marleau was a great leader who was beloved by the franchise, fanbase and players, it wouldn’t make sense to stash him on the fourth line when he would be much more productive playing more minutes.

Also, the Leafs needed a change too. They never made it far with Marleau so perhaps they could with Thornton. While he won’t be a game changer and won’t be better than Marleau was in the blue and white, every little bit helps.

A reunion with Marleau would have been nice and welcomed but it’s good they brought Thornton home as he chases his first Stanley Cup.