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To Marleau or Not to
Marleau? Does Wilson deal the Sharks
captain
6/7/09 - By Steve Flores -
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Patrick Marleau traded! No, no he hasn't been.
But, can you imagine the response if that headline were to become true? Can you
see it - "The San Jose Sharks deal their longtime captain for a bag of pucks!"
Ok so they won't get any galvanized rubber for him but realistically what would
they get you ask?
Well, I will tell you what they won't get and that
is equal value!
Marleau has just come off his best regular season.
Yes, he had 38 goals and played the best defense of any forward on this team.
The guy's God-given speed and size were used to his utmost this season. Marleau
makes more defensive saves than any other forward on the roster. I cannot count
how many times he had to go back and make a defensive play on a turnover or on
a play of quick transition.
The rumor mill is already circulating that
GM Doug Wilson is going to deal Marleau. Rumors are that Wilson may deal him
for a draft pick.
Great!!!!!!!! That's exactly what this team needs is
a guy that wont be able to help for 2 or 3 seasons. Let's be honest and use our
noggins folks. Marleau has more skills than most players. He led the team in
goals. He is the team's all-time leader in virtually everything. So the team
hasn't managed to breakthrough in the post season so let's deal him for a draft
pick!
Why is that smart?
Answer - it isn't!
Marleau
brings natural gifts that Wilson will simply not be able to replicate in terms
of fair value in any trade involving Marleau. If Wilson deals for a draft pick
it would spit in the eye of all of the other deals he has made in terms of
dealing the Sharks prior top picks for veteran help. The cupboard of draft
picks has been rendered thin by Wilson 's machinations at the helm of the good
ship San Jose . If Wilson pulls of a Marleau for draft pick deal there is no
justification. What is he gonna say "oh, yeah I dealt several of our #1 draft
picks for veteran help (the bulk of which are now gone) and so I decided to
trade our all-time leader in everything to get one back"?
The bottom line would be that Wilson not only dealt
away several top draft picks but he also dealt away the Sharks all-time leader
in everything when those other trades failed to produce the desired effect!
What does that say about Wilson ?
I will tell you what it
says - It would state that Wilson is a man in disarray. He is a GM making deal
after deal in an attempt to find the ever elusive 'Pot O Gold'.
I have
defended Wilson 's moves in the past. I find him to be a thoughtful and bright
man and I have agreed with his "win now' if you can mentality. The problem is
that his decisions have not resulted in the sought after goal. Of course, this
is all conjecture as Wilson has not traded Marleau for a draft pick.
My bottom line is that Marleau is a rare talent. He had a great season and he
was injured in the post season. Fans have the right to be upset and they have
the right to voice their frustration. Doug Wilson does not have the luxury to
let emotions or his failures as a GM affect his decision-making. If he deals
Marleau it had better be for equal value. The Sharks are dealing from a
position of weakness in this scenario and thus the odds are that he would not
get equal value. A draft pick is another failure. To give up one of the
league's most gifted athletes for a player of 'potential' is not sound.
I realize that the logic of the trade would be strengthened if Wilson
made that deal and then signed a top notch Free Agent to help deposit goals on
behalf of the team. Well that is all well and good, but I would rather see the
Free Agent in Addition to Marleau - That would truly make the team stronger -
ah salary cap!
Wilson is on the hot seat. He must make changes but
they must be wise. Believe me Marleau for a draft pick will cost him his job as
GM. It may not be this season but if the deal is made DW will be looking more
like the Mr. Wilson of Dennis the Menace fame than an elite member of the NHL
fraternity.
Contact Steve at stevybo@yahoo.com
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