Report: The Maple Leafs have made a huge mistake!

Many experts expected Patrick Marleau to remain with the San Jose Sharks until the end of his career. But being one of the most coveted free agents of the year has its perks: the 37-year-old winger received an offer he could not refuse from the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

He ended up signing a monster three-year, $18.75 million contract, a deal that may end up hurting the Leafs in the long run. As a matter of fact, TheScore's Josh Wegman, mentioned in his latest article that Lou Lamoriello has made one of the most questionable offseason signing:

"Nonetheless, the Leafs decided to sign an aging Marleau for three years at an absurdly high salary, when they could have gotten similar (or possibly even better) production from Kapanen for a fraction of the cost. His salary won't necessarily hurt the Leafs right now, but in three years when Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander are all making bank, and Marleau is 40, this contract will look awful."

While it is undeniable that Marleau will bring a great deal of experience into the Leafs' locker room, one can wonder if Lamoriello could have chosen a cheaper alternative. Especially because Matthews, Marner and Nylander will probably break the bank in a few years.

The 37-year-old winger played 1493 NHL games since the start of his career, in which he recorded 508 goals and 574 assist for a total of 1082 points. He added 120 points in 177 playoff games.