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Tue May 05, 2009 1:59 pm EDT

Marleau for Drury makes too much sense, doesn't it?

By Greg Wyshynski

When we last left San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson, he was ranting and raving about character and responsibility and winning and how this offseason "had better be the worst summer all of us have had." So it's safe to assume there will be some significant changes for the Big Teal Machine.

The focus already is on captain Patrick Marleau, who (rightly or wrongly) has become the poster boy for the franchise's lack of leadership and failure in the clutch. The notion that the Sharks' personality transplant begins with his relocation to another NHL team isn't exactly in the minority.

So here's an idea that we've been kicking around the Puck Daddy braintrust lately (not a rumor, just a thought): Marleau to the New York Rangers for center Chris Drury.

First, a comparison for the 2008-09 season:

Player

GP

G

A

+/-

PPG

SHG

Marleau

76

38

33

16

11

5

Drury

81

22

34

-8

10

1

Marleau has been fantastic in the regular season in three of the last four campaigns. As Blueshirt Banter notes in giving Drury at "B-minus" for the season, his point total dropped for the fourth straight season but he continues to do some little things right for the Rangers. 

Marleau, 30 next season, has one year left at $6.3 million before becoming a UFA. Drury, 33 next season, is signed through 2012 at a robust $7.05 million cap hit.

The deal would make financial sense for the Rangers, jettisoning a contact that -- in hindsight -- is regrettable, in exchange for a pending UFA. You don't like losing a character guy like Drury; but Marleau in a John Tortorella system could be a revelation, if the pressure of playing in New York doesn't crush his soul.

Drury is a player that Wilson's already pursued before as a general manager. He's captain material; he's a different kind of offensive center than Marleau; and when he's healthy, he's been a dependable playoff performer.

Just to make this clear: Not a rumor, just a bit of hot stove League banter we wanted to toss out there. Maybe this trade makes more sense in theory than in practice. Chances are one or both fan bases won't be happy with it. But on its surface, it makes some sense for both teams.

Related: Rumors, scuttlebutt, innuendo

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112 Comments

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  1. Leahy
    1. Posted by Leahy Tue May 05, 2009 2:05 pm EDT

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    this should be on HockeyBuzz in about 3 minutes...
  2. Wyshynski
    2. Posted by Wyshynski Tue May 05, 2009 2:11 pm EDT

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    @ Leahy --
    Actually, I was hoping it would hit the HF Boards, where it will be expanded to Marleau and Claude Lemiuex for Drury, Staal and Lundqvist.
  3. GT
    3. Posted by GT Tue May 05, 2009 2:14 pm EDT

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    I guess the Habs have too many potential UFAs to revive the rumor of Marleau to the Habs. I think the teams who will be interested in Marleau will be those who have not done too well in the regular season and need to make the playoffs. A team like Toronto, maybe, who may be more interested in making a splash in the regular season and making the playoffs, instead of someone looking to contend for the cup.
  4. GT
    4. Posted by GT Tue May 05, 2009 2:16 pm EDT

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    Hey, what about Nabokov to the Flyers?
  5. GT
    5. Posted by GT Tue May 05, 2009 2:17 pm EDT

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    Hey, what about Nabokov to the Flyers?
  6. sobjw
    6. Posted by sobjw Tue May 05, 2009 2:19 pm EDT

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    Yes, please! I like Drury but he isn't gonna score over 30 goals ever again and the Rangers need offense!
  7. Svipal
    7. Posted by Svipal Tue May 05, 2009 2:21 pm EDT

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    It's amazing how much money both of these guys make.
  8. Lynx20
    8. Posted by Lynx20 Tue May 05, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    I was just talking about this exact trade the other day with my buddies...I'm for it. Make it happen dougie
  9. rorschach
    9. Posted by rorschach Tue May 05, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    The Rangers would have to throw in a first round pick for this to be fair.
    I'd take it though, although Marleau has a no trade clause, so he isn't going anywhere.
  10. patcappy
    10. Posted by patcappy Tue May 05, 2009 2:25 pm EDT

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    How bout the Gomez for Marlaeu? Drury brings more to the table. They both have awful contracts. In addition, we'll even throw in and eat Redden's awful contract just to get that overpaid, overrated (goods stats on a very good Ottawa team), and over-the-hill stiff off our team.
  11. Nyrfan23
    11. Posted by Nyrfan23 Tue May 05, 2009 2:26 pm EDT

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    I think it would be a good trade, don't get me wrong I think Drury is a good player, but we just don't need him and Gomez ( I would rather get rid of Gomez) so if we could dump some salary, to put towards a good goal scoring player, and keeping Dubinsky and Callahan , for a player that has a little more scoring potential. It makes sense
  12. VarLOLmov
    12. Posted by VarLOLmov Tue May 05, 2009 2:37 pm EDT

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    If the Rangers rid themselves of one of these contracts it will be Gomez. Drury has an NMC and Gomez has a limited one so it would be easier.
  13. Craig
    13. Posted by Craig Tue May 05, 2009 2:38 pm EDT

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    38 goals, younger, less money 22 goals, older, more money, more years. LOTS of guys score 22 goals for a lot less than $7 million. Not a lot of guys score 38 at any price.
  14. M
    14. Posted by M Tue May 05, 2009 2:38 pm EDT

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    Only winner in this is would be the rangers on a financial basis not on a production level. With the cap issues in this league even if Drury was up for the Hart, Richard and the Ross trophies you would be nuts to lock into that kind of money for that length of time. Trust me I know cap pain!
  15. M
    15. Posted by M Tue May 05, 2009 2:38 pm EDT

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    Another bit of speculation from Avs land is Smyth for Marleau. Another similar move. I still don't exactly know how I feel about it.
  16. M
    16. Posted by M Tue May 05, 2009 2:38 pm EDT

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    @GT how about Briere or Gagne??
  17. Jose Cantseco
    17. Posted by Jose Cantseco Tue May 05, 2009 2:39 pm EDT

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    Not happening. Anyone DW trades for will have to be younger than Marleau and Sharks don't have $1M under the cap right now either.
  18. HotStacey
    18. Posted by HotStacey Tue May 05, 2009 2:41 pm EDT

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    both teams will still fail. me like!
  19. Shaun
    19. Posted by Shaun Tue May 05, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Marleau I think will stay this summer (believe it or not). Doug Wilson has historically defended Marleau even through the toughest times, although this year is a bit different maybe. The REAL trade should be: THORNTON FOR LECAVALIER!!!!!!!!!! You heard it here!
  20. Jerk Store
    20. Posted by Jerk Store Tue May 05, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    plus marleau and drury kinda look like twins
  21. richard
    21. Posted by richard Tue May 05, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    it's like trading a sock with a hole in it
    for a shoe with a hole in it.
  22. McDorsal
    22. Posted by McDorsal Tue May 05, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    Makes sense for the Rangers but why would San Jose trade for Drury, especially with his massive contract? Dumb.
  23. Anthrax Jones
    23. Posted by Anthrax Jones Tue May 05, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    @ M
    I like Marleau, but if the Avs are going to trade Smyth, I want either prospects or high draft picks for him. It's time to rebuild, not re-tool.
  24. Cornholio
    24. Posted by Cornholio Tue May 05, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    @richard
    But the Rangers would be getting the sock in the deal (cheaper of the two).
  25. N. Y. NIGHTMARE
    25. Posted by N. Y. NIGHTMARE Tue May 05, 2009 2:54 pm EDT

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    I'de be so down for this trade, marleau is a shoe, and shoes are better then socks

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