Talk of a possible Patrick Marleau trade by the San Jose Sharks isn't going to die anytime soon, but it sure sounds like the likelihood of a deal actually being consummated lies somewhere between slim and none. Early Wednesday, a report from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet - the reporter who first suggested the possibility of a Marleau trade - detailed the various issues that the New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings - the teams to which Marleau would reportedly prefer to be traded - would face when it came down to the actual nuts and bolts of a deal for the 19-year NHL veteran.
Later in the day, another report, this one from ESPN's Craig Custance, suggested that not only is a Marleau trade unlikely to those three preferred destinations, but that a deal is "all but impossible" in the current NHL climate no matter San Jose's potential trade partner.
"Money plays a role in it," an unnamed GM told Custance. "It seems when you phone a guy, he has five guys he's not trading and 10 guys that don't fit. You're just trying to find fits and money that fits. It's hard."
The GM in question was speaking in a general sense about the entire NHL marketplace only about a month into the 2015-16 NHL season, but it obviously applies directly to Marleau's case. He's a talented player with a long track record of success who has seen his game take a dip over the last couple of seasons. He managed 57 points in 82 games last season for San Jose, but he was also a minus-17. He's become something of a divisive figure for the Sharks and their fans as the possibility of his being dealt has been raised again and again in the recent past as San Jose GM Doug Wilson attempts to turn the page to a new Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski-led team. Per Custance, one of the big issues for the franchise last season was Marleau's continued use on the power play despite a lack of production.
His numbers thus far this year - four goals, nine points in 15 games - are nothing to scoff at, but they're not also indicative of a player set to make $6.7 million this season and next.
In short, clearly tensions are and have been running high behind the scenes in San Jose over the last couple of years. Marleau may be happier in another NHL home, just as the Sharks may be happier without his almost $7 million cap hit this year and next, but the trick, as it always is, is finding a buyer and a deal worth pursuing.
And from the sounds of things, that will be no easy feat for Wilson and Co. this season.
