February 12, 2008
Sharks shopping Marleau for defenseman? TheFourthPeriod.com
Sharks GM Doug Wilson hardly ever discusses rumors, but he did tell the San Jose Mercury News that he's looking to add a defenseman before the trade deadline.
"If we can do something on our back end that makes us a better team, we will," he told the paper. "But a lot of teams are looking in that area."
While Wilson would not identify who the team is eyeing, the Mercury News suggests Buffalo's Brian Campbell, Los Angeles' Rob Blake and Toronto's Tomas Kaberle could be on the Sharks' radar.
The Sharks are believed to be dangling center Patrick Marleau and defenseman Matt Carle as trade bait.
Last week, Senators defenseman Wade Redden refused to waive his no-trade clause. Had he accepted a move, he might have gone to the Sharks.
The Ottawa Sun claims Carle was going to be part of a deal for Redden, however Sens GM Bryan Murray told the Ottawa Citizen that was not the case. Sources tell TFP the team was interested in Marleau.
The Maple Leafs showed an interest in Marleau earlier in the season and if the right package comes along for Kaberle, the team might bite. The Leafs are also trying to move defenseman Pavel Kubina.
Marleau is locked up to two more years after the season and has a no-trade clause that kicks in July 1. He's been struggling all season and if the Sharks can get their hands on a top-two defenseman for him, they'll pull the trigger.
On a side note, join me today at noon ET for TFP's Daily Slapshot Podcast. You're welcome to call in and ask any questions you may have.
