The center of the free agent market this summer that will be a number one priority for teams lacking depth up the middle will be Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks. Marleau, who has struggled pretty badly in '07 and '08, has since bounced back with two impressive seasons, recording 71 and 83 points, respectively.
Because of this renaissance, Marleau will be a hot commodity in the coming weeks, and the New York Rangers will most likely find their interest peeked at the free agent’s availability. However, his salary was $6.3 million last season; this coming after a career high 44 goals. Marleau will be set to make $7 million or higher, depending on the desperation of the bidder.
The Rangers will not be able to afford his salary, what with Chris Drury making $7 million to score fifty points, and the Rangers having impending RFA’s Dan Girardi and Marc Staal to sign. Even if the Rangers were to free up space by miraculously getting rid of Wade Redden, I still would not want him.
As good as he has been, Marleau seems just like the player the Rangers would sign. At 31 and coming off his best season ever, he is past his pri ...
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Article written by Greg Caggiano
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June 23rd, 2010 by Greg Caggiano Leave a reply »
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