Your Call: What will the reception be for Marleau tonight in San Jose?

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Patrick Marleau makes his emotional return to SAP Center tonight as the Leafs take on the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks’ all-time leader in games played (1493), points (1082) and goals (508) will face off agains this former team for the first time since leaving them this past July to sign with the Leafs.

It’s expected that the crowd at SAP Center will cheer Marleau when he takes onto the ice, but until the moment of truth no one really knows what the crowd reaction will be. This is a player, after all, who turned down an offer from the Sharks this summer to go play elsewhere, despite saying he’d like to remain a Shark for his entire career. And Marleau’s is a career that’s spotted with disappointment in San Jose. 

During his 19-year career with the Sharks, Marleau was a lightning rod for criticism. He was often the target of fan and media frustration when the team failed, as they inevitably did, each season. He wore the “C”, lost the “C”, took responsibility for himself and ALWAYS played like a leader.

So what do you think, will Marleau be cheered tonight in his return to San Jose?