Marleau on emotional high as he returns
CHICAGO >> Among the attributes Patrick Marleau was known for in his nearly two-decade tenure as a member of the Sharks — besides his consistency and his professionalism — was his unflappable nature.
Never got too high, or too low — or at least it seemed that way in public view.
Marleau admitted that wasn’t necessarily the case earlier this week when he got a phone call from Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, welcoming him back to the team he became synonymous with during a 19-season run in which he set almost every one of the franchise’s individual offensive records.
“The supporting cast that I had kept me grounded and kept me patient, and I couldn’t be more happy to be back here and be a Shark again,” Marleau said Wednesday after he finished his first practice back with the team.
“The emotion I felt when that phone call came from Doug was just overwhelming, and just very grateful to be back. Just want to help the team as much as I can.”
Marleau officially signed a oneyear contract with the Sharks on Wednesday, and will be in the lineup tonight — dressing for his 789th consecutive game — against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks are still looking for their first win after four straight regulation time losses.
Marleau is the franchise leader in points (1,082), goals (508), power-play goals (160), game-winning goals (98) and games played (1,493). In 1,657 career NHL games with the Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs, a total that ranks fifth all time, Marleau has 551 goals and 615 assists.
It doesn’t appear as if Marleau — now in his 22nd season — will have time to ease his way back in, as he skated on the Sharks’ top line with Logan Couture and Timo Meier in Wednesday’s practice, and was also on the team’s second power play unit with Joe Thornton, among others.
“Hopefully I can help them out,” said Marleau, who averaged 16 minutes and 21 seconds of ice time last season with the Maple Leafs. “The adrenaline’s going to going, it’s going to be exciting. Just want to get off to a good start and help these guys out.”
For the first time in his playing career, professional or otherwise, Marleau had no place to play once his summer came to an end. He was traded by the Maple Leafs on June 22 to the Carolina Hurricanes, who wanted him to remain with the organization
But Marleau’s family was moving back to the Bay Area, and Marleau wanted to play closer to home, with coming back to the Sharks his first choice. The Hurricanes later bought out the final year of the three-year deal Marleau signed with the Leafs in 2017.
There was speculation at that time that the Sharks had interest, but nothing materialized as Wilson was committed to giving prospects in the organization a chance to compete for NHL jobs.
So, Marleau had to be patient, as he continued to skate and train without knowing for sure whether he’d be able to play in the NHL again.
“It was very trying, pretty much a roller coaster ride that you couldn’t get off for a while,” Marleau said. “I have to thank my family and friends and people reaching out to me, and fans. One of the humbling things that you get from this is all of the people that care about you and reach out to you. Very appreciative for all of the support through this time.”
Marleau said he had interest from other teams, but remained hopeful that things could work out with San Jose.
Once the Sharks and Marleau had an agreement in principle, Marleau flew from the Bay Area and arrived in Chicago early Wednesday morning.
“Just thinking about it brings up a lot of emotions,” Marleau said. “Very happy to be back. Can’t wait to get out there and help this team.”
Marleau’s presence in the locker room Wednesday helped to lift the spirits of his teammates, who are going through one of the worst starts in Sharks franchise history. Only once before, in 1993-94, have the Sharks lost this many games in a row to begin a season.
That year, the Sharks lost their first four games, picked up a tie, then lost another four straight to begin the year with a 0-8-1 record.
“There were a lot of smiles this morning at a time right now when we need those,” Couture said. “Obviously losing four in a row, it’s not fun when you’re coming to the rink disappointed in the way you played. But today was a good day to see Patty and put some smiles on a lot of faces around here. It’s good to have him back.”
More than providing an emotional boost, though, the Sharks are going to need Marleau to come in and contribute in some fashion — at either end of the ice.
The Sharks have been outscored 17-5 in four games, and are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday in which their wounds were mostly self-inflicted.
“He’s a good player, he looked good on the ice, he still skates really well,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. “He’s a big man. He knows how to play. I have no doubt he can help us on the ice, and off the ice, he’s a class act, he’s a quality guy, he’s a leader.
”He’s welcome on all fronts.”
To make room on their 23-man roster, the Sharks placed forward Jonny Brodzinski on waivers. If Brodzinski, who played in two of the Sharks’ first four games, is not claimed by another NHL team by this morning, he will be assigned to the Barracuda. Brodzinski signed a oneyear, two-way deal with the Sharks in July.
DeBoer said that Aaron Dell will start in goal against the Blackhawks. Dell started Saturday’s game in Anaheim against the Ducks and made 30 saves in a 3-1 Sharks loss. No. 1 goalie Martin Jones made 20 saves in Tuesday’s loss to Nashville.