Maple Leafs trade Patrick Marleau to Hurricanes

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Patrick Marleau, a conditional 2020 first-round pick, and a 2020 seventh-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes, in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round selection.

The conditional first-round selection is top-10 protected for 2020, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston. If the pick falls within the top 10 for 2020, the pick will shift to 2021.

Marleau will be bought out by the Hurricanes, and would like to return to the San Jose Sharks, where he spent the first 19 years of his career, Johnston reports.

The 39-year-old carries a $6.25 million cap hit for the 2019-20 season and was slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer prior to Saturday’s trade. This was likely the imperative point for the Maple Leafs, who don’t retain any of Marleau’s salary in the trade, which theoretically should allow them to pay Mitch Marner and a host of their free agents.

Marleau recorded 16 goals and 37 points in 82 games last season. Entering his 22nd year, Marleau has proven to be one of the most durable players in the league and hasn’t missed a regular season game since 2008-09.

Upon being traded, Marleau released a statement on behalf of the family, through his wife’s Twitter account.

Marleau served as a mentor to the Maple Leafs’ young core, with Auston Matthews and Marner living with his family while getting settled as professionals. His leadership was often seen as his most valuable trait to a Maple Leafs team that graduated from a young and upcoming force, to a club with genuine Stanley Cup aspirations for the foreseeable future - if they can get past Boston, of course.

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