According to Sportsnet Hockey Insider, Elliott Friedman he mentioned during the second intermission of Hockey Night in Canada last night that he has heard rumors that veteran San Jose Sharks left winger Patrick Marleau could be on the trading block. Friedman showed some skepticism on air last night stating that Marleau has a full no-trade-clause and he hasn’t heard from any sides whether Marleau was asked to lift his no-move clause.
Marleau who was drafted in the first round second overall of the 1997-98 NHL Entry Draft is playing now in his 17th season all with the Sharks. In 1342 games, he has cumulated 460 goals and 537 assists and is shy of only three point for reaching the 1000th point milestone. In 147 playoffs games, Marleau has totaled 143 points with 60 goals.
It seems odd that Friedman would bring this one rumor out without any solid tractions. Marleau is destined to finish his career with the Sharks. This season he has 9 point is 13 games played. The only reason would be to have him play one last season or two somewhere he can win the Stanley Cup with a contender.
Are the Carolina Hurricanes going to keep Eric Staal?
As much as it is hard to see Eric Staal in a different uniform than the Carolina Hurricanes, the possibilities of seeing him in a different team before the February 29th trade deadline are real. Staal is undoubtedly on the decline but while he can still bring a decent return to the Hurricanes, trading him to a contender may make sense to general manager Ron Francis. It is official Eric Staal will always a Carolina Hurricane no matter what Francis does, but with the salary Staal is getting and the cap hit it brings, the time to trade Eric Staal may be what Ron Francis may be forces to do.
Staal is on last year of his current contract which pays him 9.5M with a cap hit of 8.25M. He could be resigned for less by Carolina, if he chooses to stay in Carolina. Staal is playing his 11th season with the Hurricanes. Last year his statistics continued on the decline despite playing 77 games with the Carolina. With only 23 goals, Staal compiled his lowest totals for points in a full played season for the exception of his rookie season.
There is no doubt Eric Staal would be welcomed anywhere in the league. Every teams is looking for a tall and big no.1 center and for Francis waiting may be the best way to get the maximum for his centreman. The only downside to this strategy is the fact Eric Staal would be acquired as a rental player by any organizations and the cost may not be as big as anticipated by Ron Francis.
The Eric Staal watch will definitely take some proportions as the season moves along.
