Another Western team jumps in to facilitate Marleau trade!

It seems like it is quite the challenge for the Toronto Maple Leafs to find a way to get Patrick Marleau to be a San Jose Shark again before he hangs up the skates… 

It has been reported for the past weeks that Marleau is looking to leave Toronto and head back home to California. However, the reality of returning to San Jose might be farfetched seeing that the Sharks don’t have a whole lot of room on their cap space to make it happen. 

On Monday, Erik Karlsson signed an eight-year deal to remain with the Sharks and it’s worth about $11.5 million per year. They however have additional decisions to make this offseason, with Joe Thornton and captain Joe Pavelski both eligible to become free agents. An $11.5-million cap hit for EK leaves the Sharks roughly $12 million to spend this summer and could be an obstacle in Marleau’s wishes. 

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported that if the Sharks want to bring Marleau back, they would want the Leafs to absorb half of Marleau’s $6.25 million annual average value to make it work.

LeBrun also threw a curve ball in there. He believes that the Arizona Coyotes are keeping an eye on Marleau and would acquire the veteran if the Maple Leafs include a sweetener.

But they need to forget about a winger like Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson! Not going to happen… 

On Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos also mentioned that Marleau could be moved elsewhere nonetheless to facilitate a trade to the Sharks. The insider believes it will require direct trade or trade to team who buys him out. 

However, we doubt the Coyotes would want to simply give the Sharks such a gift like Marleau… 

Getting juicy here!