Report: Patrick Marleau's future, Sharks' blue line top priorities
A TSN report seems to confirm what we already believed.
Let me start by saying the following isn't exactly a bombshell. TSN's Frank Seravalli posted a report on all 30 NHL teams and the Sharks bit is less of a revelation and more of a confirmation.
SAN JOSE
Top priority: Defensive depth
Scoop: Focus will be on whether Patrick Marleau can wiggle his way out of San Jose, but the Sharks could really use another blueliner. At varying points this year, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Paul Martin and Justin Braun have all missed time due to injury. The Sharks are also reportedly in the market for a backup goaltender.
Telling Sharks fans that defense and goaltending are the team's top priorities is a lot like telling an actual shark it needs water to survive. The more interesting (or horrifying, if you prefer) is Marleau's name in the lede of the paragraph. Given his strict no movement clause, it'll probably be tough to move the forward before the trade deadline...but it wouldn't be the first blockbuster trade we've seen this year.
Whether San Jose moves Marleau now or during the offseason, it feels more and more likely this will be his last season in teal. That's my hunch, anyway.