Breaking: Marleau hits the free agent market

According to multiple online reports, the Carolina Hurricanes will buy out recently acquired forward Patrick Marleau. The 39 year old veteran was recently acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a salary cap dump trade that also saw them nab a first round pick from he Leafs.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reports that Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell has confirmed that the buyout will be made official tomorrow:

 Since Marleau is on a 35+ contract, they will still have his full $6.25 million cap hit for 2019-20, but the Hurricanes will face no penalty in 2020-21.

Marleau will make $3,416,667 ($3M SB+$416k salary) this season and $416,667 next season from this contract.

So, where does Marleau end up? There have been rumblings that he’ll return to the San Jose Sharks, the team he played for for 19 seasons. Of course, he could also decide to hang up the skates for good.

In fact, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is now reporting that the former Sharks captain will weigh all of his options before deciding whether or not to continue is career.

Check it out:

If this is indeed the end, it’ll be a remarkable career for Marleau. He’s played in the NHL a remarkable 21 years and has played a whopping 1657 regular season games. He’ll finish his career with 551 goals and 1166 points… not bad, not bad at all. Of course, we’re not ready to close the book on this incredible career just yet… pick up the phone Dougie Wilson!