Marleau opens up about Marner's contract and how it pushed him out in Toronto

Don’t look now but 40 year old Patrick Marleau is a point-per-game player in the NHL once again.

After seeing his point totals decline for the past five consecutive seasons, Marleau is off to a red hot start in his return to the San Jose Sharks, potting two goals and five points in his first five games of the 2019-20 season. Marleau, of course, played the past two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes and ultimately had his contract bought out before returning to the Sharks this past offseason.

With forward Mitch Marner and his $10.893 million contract putting the Leafs in a serious cap crunch, Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas was forced to jettison someone from the team’s roster and it was Marleau who ultimately paid the price. After all, at 40 years old and with a $6.25 million annual contract, the decision to move Marleau was obvious. Still, it was a tough pill to swallow for all involved but Marleau doesn’t hold any ill will towards his old team.

In particular, Marleau doesn’t have any hard feeling for Marner and he said so to Leafs reporter Michael Traikos earlier this week. 

Check it out:

Classy words from a classy player. It’s no wonder Marleau’s return to San Jose has been so well received. Here’s hoping he can finally get the Stanley Cup that’s eluded him his entire career. Leafs and Sharks Stanley Cup Final, anyone?