Marleau involved in three-way trade?!

We have been trying to get all the information we can on what’s happening with veteran forward Patrick Marleau, who is reportedly seeking a trade out of Toronto. 

Or is he? 

It has been reported for the past week that Maple Leafs veteran forward Patrick Marleau is looking to leave Toronto and head back home to California. 

Chatter got louder two weeks ago when a Re/Max Premier Inc listing was made public about Marleau’s home, as the forward put his house in Toronto up for sale with the asking price of $11.888 million. It was mentioned more than once that the 38-year-old wanted to get back to California to be closer to his family. 

Here is what we know on Wednesday: Marleau is apparently seeking a trade… to the San Jose Sharks. Only. No other team will do. 

It has been reported at the beginning of the month that a trade almost took place between the Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings in which Marleau was sent to be sent to L.A. and play for head coach Todd McLellan.  However, Elliotte Friedman reported that the deal ended up falling through because the Kings wanted the Leafs to take a contract back for taking Marleau off their hands. Friedman speculated Jeff Carter was the player the Kings wanted to send the other way. 

It could have also been the fact that Marleau wants the Sharks. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos made that important detail public on Tuesday, but added that Marleau could be moved elsewhere nonetheless. 

It would be to facilitate a trade to the Sharks. The insider believes it will require direct trade or trade to team who buys him out. At the moment, he added that the Sharks are not willing to commit. 

On Monday, Erik Karlsson signed an eight-year deal to remain with the Sharks; multiple reports said 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.