No ‘fit’ between Marleau and Sharks, will pursue other opportunities

Nazem Kadri sent a nice pass to Patrick Marleau, who opened the scoring for the Leafs against the Panthers.

Veteran winger Patrick Marleau won’t be returning to the San Jose Sharks in 2019-20, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

After two years in Toronto that culminated in the Toronto Maple Leafs buying out the final year of the 39-year-old’s three-year, $18.75-million deal in June, many wondered if Marleau would return to San Jose, where he played the first 19 years of his lengthy career.

However, Marleau’s agent, Pat Brisson, told Friedman “the fit is not there at this time between Marleau and the Sharks.” With Marleau still hoping to suit up in the NHL next season, the Aneroid, Sask., native will pursue opportunities elsewhere throughout the league.

Marleau posted 16 goals and 37 points for the Maple Leafs last season, following a 27-goal, 47-point effort in his first go-round with Toronto. He’s surpassed the 20-goal plateau 15 times over the course of his career, topping out with a career-best 44 goals back in 2009-10.

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