Penguins Trade Talk
Penguins Trade for Patrick Marleau, News & Analysis
The Pittsburgh Penguins made good on their desire to acquire forward depth on Monday morning ahead of the NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m. The Penguins acquired San Jose Sharks stalwart, Patrick Marleau for a conditional 2021 third-round pick. The trade is pending the official NHL trade call.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now was the first to report the trade. The pick will become a second-round pick if the Penguins win the Stanley Cup.
Building on previous PHN+ stories and scoops, the Penguins not only wanted forward depth, but they also wanted leadership for a team that has struggled in 2020 to maintain their style of play.
The Penguins are currently without their first, second and now third-round picks in the 2020 draft.
Marleau comes with bonafide locker room presence. He was signed by Toronto three years ago to be the locker room leader for the young Toronto Maple Leafs, and his work was lauded. Toronto bought out Marleau last summer in a salary-cap move.
Now, Marleau is 40-years-old and perhaps in the last go-round of his career. He’s played in 1715 games, scored 561 goals, and scored 1186 points. Marleau, like the San Jose Sharks, has struggled this season. He has 20 points (10g, 10a) in 58 games.
Marleau has never won a Stanley Cup, and his San Jose Sharks club lost to the Penguins in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.
What Marleau brings to the Penguins table are speed, versatility, and leadership. His hands may have expired, but his feet have not. The Penguins are currently without third line LW Zach Aston-Reese, who is still listed as week to week. The Penguins could also use an upgrade at the fourth-line center.
Patrick Marleau can fill either of those roles.
He also makes only $700,000, which leaves the Penguins additional room until 3 p.m.
Early Monday morning, it appeared Penguins GM Jim Rutheford was fishing in deeper waters, specifically for Florida Panthers forward and Pittsburgh native Vincent Trocheck. However, Carolina offered a huge haul for Trocheck and the Penguins zeroed in on Marleau.
PHN+ did confirm the Penguins engaged in talks for Trocheck and scouted Florida over the past couple of weeks.
PHN has confirmed Rutherford “blew a gasket” this weekend after the Penguins sloppy loss to the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday and the Penguins prized leadership among their trade targets.
Editors Note: The story was updated to include the condition of the pick and the year.Â
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The information I’ve been reading states Marleau isnt much for defense, if that’s accurate why would be be a fit on the buzzsaw line?
Also our 3 core members are all in their mid 30s, and all have 3 cup rings, then why do we need a veteran presence? Why not go after someone strong on D and can win faceoff before an ex scorer. Am I missing something on who Marleau is now?
Horrible, horrible move. Marleau is Zucker on prune juice — a one-trick has-been with a history of smallness in big games.
Would have rather had Grant or Thompson, both of whom went to division rivals.
Kudos to Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello for his theft of Pageau, who was easily the best all-around player available.
If the Isles are really smart, they’ll line up a series against the Pens in round one, which would be Men vs. Boys again.
ROS (Rest Of Season) Metro ratings: Capitals. Dillon, Kovalchuk have them positioned for one final shot. Islanders. Lamoriello does it again — Pageau is perfect for their two-way game. Flyers. They were on the come before Grant, Thompson came aboard. Penguins. Look out below! (But, hey, it sure was nice while it lasted). Rangers. Shesterkin injury sets them back. Wait ’til next year (playoffs?!). Hurricanes: Goalie injuries have them in a bind, can’t win with Zamboni Guy. Devils. Blackwood has emerged as a No. 1 goaler, so it’s not all bad. Blue Jackets. Too many key injuries that can’t be… Read more »
So they go into the playoffs , again, with Dominick Simon on Crosby’s right side?
I’m predicting another 1st or possibly 2nd round exit. Then all bets off in the summer as fan frustration/cynicism boils over. Expect major changes this summer, the team is going nowhere this spring. IMO
Its not like this guy is chopped liver…he can still skate and there is that hunger in some players that have never won the cup that he could bring. He generally steps up his game in the playoffs too. Its not like he is going to play 20 minutes a game but he is definitely an upgrade over the now gone Agozzino. Lets see how he does.
Don’t like Kahun for Sheary and Rodrigues, either.
The playoffs are a man’s game. Sick and tired of this finesse team that gets thrown around like rag dolls in the playoffs.
Glad to see Rodriques come aboard. He’s a 46-percenter on draws this season, so he’ll add depth to their face-off suckage.
Sheary and Rodriguez for Kahun
I say they trade GMJR and a gold watch to the Wild for Bill Guerin and the NWTPWC (Next Winger To Play With Crosby) to be named later.