NHL trade rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Patrick Marleau

Patrick Marleau’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs is coming to an end and, according to the latest NHL trade rumors, a trade is on the horizon. Which team will be his next destination?

Patrick Marleau‘s family is preparing to move back to San Jose and his Toronto home is reportedly up for sale. According to the latest NHL trade rumors from Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet, Marleau has told Toronto Maple Leafs‘ management that he wants to be closer to his family and it’s quite obvious that a trade is about to be made.

He has one year left on his contract worth $6.25 million and he is 39 years old. Kypreos said that if a trade is going to happen, the Leafs will either need to send a package or retain a part of his salary.

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At 39 years old, Marleau is still a decent player in the NHL. He still has a ton of speed and is a strong veteran presence in the locker room. Many teams will be interested in a player like him but here are the three most likely destinations for the veteran winger:

3. Colorado Avalanche

According to Kypreos, the Colorado Avalanche have a lot of interest in Marleau. His experience will be a huge help with their young team. If the Leafs retain part of his salary, he could be a very good depth piece for Colorado.

Marleau is a very versatile player as he can play both left wing and center and despite his age, he still has plenty of finish. In his 21-year career, he has scored less than 20 goals just six times and the 2018-19 season was his 10th-straight complete season. Marleau is a workhorse and could be the piece that gives the team a little boost for next season.

2. Edmonton Oilers

A lot has been made about the incompetence that surrounds Connor McDavid and adding a player like Patrick Marleau onto his line could change everything. All McDavid needs to be successful is a winger that can keep up and bury his passes. Marleau is just that kind of player and adding him onto the Edmonton Oilers will give McDavid a competent linemate and Leon Draisaitl his own line.

The biggest asset that the Oilers have is two amazing centers but they’re forced to put them together because there is no better option. Putting Marleau with McDavid gives Edmonton much more offensive depth to utilize the tools that they currently have.

1. Los Angeles Kings

The front-runners for Patrick Marleau are the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings want to play faster, Marleau is still pretty fast. Marleau wants to be closer to his family in San Jose, Los Angeles is less than 2 hours away by airplane. The Kings are currently rebuilding and having a veteran presence in the locker room with the resume of Marleau’s is a fantastic asset.

His impact on young players is seen with the relationship he developed with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews in Toronto. Marleau can guide the young players and make sure that they keep a level head.

Plus, if the Leafs’ don’t retain on his salary, that means another piece will be headed the Kings’ way. If getting a flashy young player like Andreas Johnsson or Kasperi Kapanen means keeping Marleau for one year, it’s definitely worth it for a rebuilding team like the Kings.