Former 2nd overall pick finds himself on the trade market.

A veteran center, who has spent his entire career with the same team could soon find himself dealt, as at least on NHL insider believes he could be on the move.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada that San Jose Sharks veteran Patrick Marleau is being heavily mentioned in trade rumors around the NHL.

“It is a complex one. It’s difficult to pin down because none of the particulars are talking,” Friedman told Damien Cox during the weekly Headlines segment. “So I can’t say who is pushing for it, but his name is out there.”

There are many factors surrounding a possible deal for Marleau, making his situation complex. The 36-year old has a no-movement clause in his contract, and Friedman says there is zero evidence that the Sharks have asked him to lift it as of now.

Marleau also carries an annual salary cap hit of $6.66 million which runs through the end of the 2016-17 season.

His production also tailed off last season, having scored 57 points in 82 games with a minus-17 rating in 2014-15.

Despite these factors, centers are coveted in the NHL and a team in need of veteran leadership could use a leader of Marleau's experience. The clock is also ticking for the Sharks, who would likely prefer to trade Marleau before his value continues to diminish with age.

San Jose sits at 7-6-0 and a trade of this magnitude could get them some significant pieces. They could also capitalize on the fact that Marleau has had a good start to the season, having scored four goals and five assists in nine games thus far.

Expect Marleau to be moved from the team that drafted him second-overall way back in 1997.

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