Sharks' Patrick Marleau Open to Trade Deadline Deal

Patrick Marleau is currently in the middle of his third stint with the San Jose Sharks and it looks like once again he's going to be moved at the trade deadline. Marleau has admitted he prefers a trade to a Cup contender and management is expected to oblige.

I wouldn’t actively maybe look for it, but if it does happen or it does come, or a team wants me, that’s something you have to seriously consider. Obviously, that’s still my goal, to win a Stanley Cup. It’s tough to swallow. Coming into the season, you always have high expectations and hopes, and you want to get off to a good start and put yourself in position for playoffs, and getting into them and giving yourself a chance to win. But we haven’t put ourselves in that position as of yet. Obviously, there’s a business side to things, as well. But, yeah, it’s obviously not where anybody wants to be.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson recently let it be known the team was entering a 'reset' which pissed off many of the Sharks including Erik Karlsson. The team had high expectations for themselves and it just hasn't worked out the past couple of seasons for the Sharks.

As for Marleau, the 41-year-old has scored one goal and has five points in 29 games so obviously if a Cup contender is adding him to their mix it will be for a limited role. A reunion with Joe Thornton and his two 'sons' - Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner would be a story book ending to his career, so that's one story line to watch.

Other teams to keep an eye on include the Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes.