Patrick Marleau had a heck of a debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
One of the biggest moves of the 2017 NHL offseason came when the Toronto Maple Leafs signed former San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau. It was a bit surprising to see such a young team sign someone so old. But in many ways, the Leafs needed Marleau. And it turns out Patrick might need Toronto if he wants to win a Stanley Cup.
In his Maple Leafs debut, Marleau scored two goals. His first goal of the evening came in the second period of their season-opening game against the Winnipeg Jets tonight.
New team, same slick Patty Marleau. #NHLFaceOff https://t.co/GnBSOxNOTi
— NHL (@NHL) October 5, 2017
It was career goal number 509 for Marleau, who signed with the Leafs over the summer.
The first 508 were potted on the West Coast with the Sharks. After spending his entire 19-year career in San Jose – including a stint as captain from 2006 to 2009 – Marleau left as a free agent for the ascendent Leafs.
Marleau’s three-year deal drew some criticism. The veteran will be 40 years old by the end of it. His $6.25 million cap hit is the highest on the team. Still, he looked right at home playing alongside Maple Leafs phenom Auston Matthews.
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As Matthews streaked into the faceoff circle on the right wing, the 19-year-old fed the puck across the slot to Marleau. It’s outstanding how he draws so much attention that the Jets left one of the most consistent goal scorers in the NHL wide open.
Marleau then kicked it forward off his skate and channeled his inner Adam Banks, deking Jets goalie Steve Mason out of his shorts. The goal put the Leafs up 4-0. Not a great look for Mason considered Winnipeg’s prime offseason acquisition. And considering the Jets well-known goaltending woes, not a good debut.
That look was made even worse when Marleau scored again early in the third period, sending the score to 5-0.
Patrick Marleau makes it 5-0, Mason out. pic.twitter.com/G2ckoWe7sI
— Aivis Kalniņš (@aiviskalnins) October 5, 2017
Still a skilled and grizzled vet, Marleau looks to have shed some of the baggage weighing on him in San Jose.
The third year of that contract may prove truly awful. In the meantime, Marleau is clicking early with his new team.
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He looks to have found the fountain of youth alongside young guns like Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner.