Rumor: Patrick Marleau to Arizona

Undoubtedly spurred by earlier comments from TSN insider Pierre LeBrun, this rumor has just made its way to us.


LeBrun has tweeted:

Leafs and Coyotes have also chatted about Patrick Marleau. My sense is that for Arizona to get more interested Toronto would have to attach a premium asset in the trade as well.

With Leafs rumoured to have had pre-deadline interest in Niklas Hjalmarsson, this rumor was bound to grow legs. The structure of the deal is suggested to have Marleau & a prospect (supposedly Bracco) sent to Arizona for Hjalmarsson and Marian Hossa.

Apparently, the Leafs are in no way looking to move Bracco in such a deal and therefore the wheels are still turning on both sides to try and find a fit.

Dumping the Hossa contract, I would assume, is purely economics as it bares no salary cap ramifications. However on a cash strapped club like the Coyotes, this would be a savvy business move.

The Leafs on the other hand would bring in a capable defender who is a left shoot but plays predominantly on the right side to fill the void of the departing Gardiner and Hainsey. They would also stand to save 1.25 Million on the cap. While not a huge dollar savings, every penny pinched will help with their litany of RFA's remaining unsigned.

What would you think of this deal Leafs Nation??