Deep Blue Sea: Patrick Marleau takes second in NHL all-time games played

It’s a season of milestones for 41-year-old veteran forward Patrick Marleau.

After taking his first shift in Monday’s eventual shootout win over the Minnesota Wild, Marleau took sole possession of second place in all-time games played in the National Hockey League, passing Mark Messier with 1,757. Mr. Shark now sits just 10 games behind Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe, who played 26 seasons in the NHL and six seasons with the World Hockey Association.

Though Marleau holds a number of franchise records with the San Jose Sharks, Marleau’s mark on the league now stands among and above names recognized across every franchise. By season’s end, he’ll hold sole possession of most NHL games played, if everything goes to plan.

But will he be wearing teal when he does it?

It seems likely. Though Marleau has now played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins (and was briefly a member of the Carolina Hurricanes), the moves weren’t easy on his family, understandably. He’d called the Bay Area home since he was drafted in 1997.

But if a contender comes asking, it’s something to consider. For all of those games played, there’s still one thing Marleau still hasn’t done, after all.

Read more on the record and Marleau’s deadline thoughts linked below.

News & Notes

• Sharks’ Marleau moves into second on NHL’s all-time games played list [Sportsnet]
• Marleau passes Messier for second in games played, 10 behind Howe’s record [NBC Sports]
• Sharks’ Patrick Marleau would ‘have to consider’ potential trade for Stanley Cup chase [The Reporter]
• If Sharks deal Patrick Marleau, where might he end up? [The Athletic]
• Sharks’ Bob Boughner gives injury update on Matt Nieto [The Mercury News]
• San Jose Sharks running into a new issue that’s not going away [The Mercury News]/

Blood in the Water

• Ranking the NHL’s top defensemen for 2021: Execs, coaches, players debate the top 10 [ESPN+]
• Seeking some roster flexibility, struggling Philadelphia Flyers put Shayne Gostisbehere on waivers [ESPN]
• Why the Flyers waived Shayne Gostisbehere: Addressing the lingering questions and potential consequences [The Athletic]
• Buffalo Sabres’ winless streak hits 18 games after collapse in third period against Philadelphia Flyers [ESPN]
• NHL Trade Buzz: Penguins could seek goalie if Jarry out long term [NHL.com]
• Ekblad out 12 weeks for Panthers after surgery for left-leg fracture [NHL.com]
• Winnipeg Jets Have the Best Forward Corps in the NHL [Sports Illustrated]
• Black Girl Hockey Club and NWHL player Saroya Tinker team up to raise money for young Black women interested in hockey [Yahoo!]
• U.S. women’s hockey roster named for world championship [NBC Sports]
• Hockey is for Everyone: Lightning trade bolts for rainbows on Pride Night [Fox 13 Tampa Bay]/

Scores & Recaps

• Washington Capitals 2, New York Rangers 5
• Detroit Red Wings 1, Florida Panthers 4
• New Jersey Devils 4, Boston Bruins 5 (SO)
• Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 1
• Edmonton Oilers 0, Montreal Canadiens 4
• Carolina Hurricanes 1, Chicago Blackhawks 2
• Dallas Stars 2, Nashville Predators 3 (OT)/

Click on a team name to find a recap on their SB Nation site!

On the Schedule

• Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres, 4:30 PT/7:30 ET on NBCSN, NBCSP
• Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets, 4:30 PT/7:30 ET on SN, TVAS
• Arizona Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche, 6:30 PT/9:30 ET on ALT, FS-AZ
• Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 7 PT/10 ET on NBCSN
• Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks, 7:30 PT/10:30 ET on NBCSCA, FS-N, FS-WI
• Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, 7:30 PT/10:30 ET on SN, TVAS, SNP, SNW/