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In Defense of Patrick Marleau

by Mike Chen on 08/19/09 at 12:00 PM ET
Comments (11)

Several years ago (pre-lockout), a friend and I debated what Patrick Marleau’s actual upside was. This was when he still floundered in 40-point brilliant-one-game-awful-the-next land, pre-captaincy and with the life being squeezed out of him by then-coach Darryl Sutter. We finally agreed that under the right coach and with the right circumstances, he could ultimately turn into a Mike Modano-style player: 80-90 points per season, a good penalty killer because of his speed, and a threat for 35+ goals each season.

It seems fitting, then, that like Modano a few years ago, Marleau was stripped of the captaincy. While Todd McLellan has left open the possibility of the C returning to his chest, reports out of the San Jose Mercury News make it seem like that won’t happen. McLellan hinted at a decision come training camp based on work ethic and focus, but that just seems to pave the way for Dan Boyle being named captain. He’s skilled, signed long term, honest without Roenick-style foot-in-mouth disease, and brings a genuine intensity to the team, along with Stanley Cup experience. It’s a logical choice, and as a fan of Boyle since his Tampa days, I fully support it.

(The dark horse candidate is Joe Pavelski, in a move that might mirror Dallas’ choice to make Brendan Morrow captain.)

But I continue to find fault with people who make it seem like Marleau’s head deserved to be on every possible chopping block from here to Saskatoon. It’s funny, not in a “ha ha” kind of way but in a shake-your-head-in-bemusement kind of way. It seems like everyone forgot about the year that Marleau had.

Please recall that Marleau was the unanimous Sharks team MVP, a guy who evolved from just a skilled center to San Jose’s top short-handed threat and a complete player over the course of a season. Last year, Marleau showed more grit, determination, and consistency not only in putting up numbers, but also in working in the corners and taking the body. Back in February, I had a conversation with some Sharks fans, and they talked about how they finally felt like Marleau had grown into the captain role and they were happy with him. At that point during the season, he did everything fans and the coaching staff could ask, and he did it well; in fact, the discussion seemed to be more focused on why Joe Thornton couldn’t play with the same moxy as Patrick Marleau.

Then came his knee injury. I’m of the mindset that injuries are not excuses, but explanations. You can’t fight reality, and when an injury affects your most important asset, your play will suffer. For Marleau, his entire game is built around speed, and for him to skate on one leg essentially nullifies a big part of his game.

Think of it this way: Luc Robitaille will be the first to tell you that he was never the most gifted skater, that it was all in his hands and wrist. If he got a leg injury, he should still be able to pick up the ugly goals because he still has his most valuable asset. However, if if Lucky Luc had a sprained wrist and couldn’t get his shot off, it’d be reasonable to expect his play to tail off. You can’t fight reality.

So Marleau returns with an MCL injury, earlier than he should because the Sharks forward lines are absolutely depleted due to other injuries. Rather than rest him, they put squeeze him into the tail end of the season and place him in a variety of positions as Todd McLellan plays mix-n-match with his makeshift lines. He’s obviously hampered out there and his production tails off, along with important little things like generating shorthanded chances. People seem to forget that in the playoffs, he scored the team’s only two game-winners while San Jose’s secondary scoring disappeared.

It’s not an excuse, it’s an explanation, and I think it’s a reasonable one. It’s just like saying a healthy Pavel Datsyuk could have helped the Red Wings overcome the Penguins, or that a healthy Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan could have tipped Game 7 of the Ducks/Wings series into Anaheim’s favor. Stuff happens. That’s pro sports. Everyone’s going to be banged up at one point or another, and luck will dictate whether or not the injury occurs in an area critical to someone’s playing style.

I’m guessing that the removal of the captaincy has less to do with punishing Marleau and more to do with creating a clean slate. I understand that, and I support it, simply because on paper, I can’t find any real holes in the team. It all has to do with guys fulfilling potential, and if that means shifting pieces around to establish a new identity rather than blowing it all up, I’m all for it. It shakes things up while keeping the talented core together. But to call out Marleau as a failure of a player is extremely misguided. He had a great year which was derailed when an injury took away his best weapon. There’s no reason to hang the guy for it.

All eyes will be on Marleau as training camp starts, and one hopes that he continues to play the way he did when he was healthy last season, captain or not. I’m of the belief that he will because of one specific moment during the 2007-08 season. Longtime readers have heard this story before; you’ll recall that that was a pretty miserable year for Marleau, as he’d been publicly flogged by then-coach Ron Wilson for the previous year’s playoffs. He skated in a haze for the first half of the season before he had that turn-on-the-lightbulb moment in February. He told his teammates he had to be better, and from that point on he played with a determination that carried into this last season. In that moment, he was accountable, not only to his teammates but to himself, and every dimension of his game changed from then on.

That moment tells me that he gets it—even though it took him a while to get there. And captain or no, I think he’ll prove the naysayers wrong next season.

Filed in: NHL | Mike Chen's Hockey Blog | Permalink
Tags: Dan+Boyle, Patrick+Marleau, San+Jose+Sharks,

Comments

Great article, Mike. One of the things that sometimes hampers Marleau IMO is that even when he’s working hard, it doesn’t necessarily look like he’s working hard. But when you look closely, you see him slip past a defender without needing an extra stride, or catch up on a backcheck without needing to put his head down and dig in. I hope removing the C removes some weight and he can just worry about playing his game.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 08/19/09 at 11:53 AM ET

Solid argument, Mike. I happen to be in agreement with you in regards to injuries being both luck of the draw and explanations. I think Patty is doing the right thing by quietly being the public’s sacrificial lamb, and yes, I think he’ll have a monster year next season.

As for captain: I am not in favor of Pavs as captain (yet) as I feel he still has some growing and maturing to do; which isn’t to say he wouldn’t be a capable captain, just to say there are others currently who might fit the bill better. Danny B. might be a solid choice, for all of the reasons you mentioned above. Who ever it ends up being the captain though will have a tough road to hoe, as I have yet to see anyone light a fire under Big Joe except for sporadic moments through out the season. He is a great player when he is his normal laid back self. He is a fantastic, eye-popping, unbeatable player when he gets a bee in his bonnet.

Anyway, good post. Thanks Mike!

Posted by Liz from Boston on 08/19/09 at 12:02 PM ET

I totally disagree with you take Mike,

A captain should be a leader, whether its a vocal leader or not, and Marleau is not a leader.

Marleau leaves practices early, misses optional skates and puts his personal needs in front of the team.

Marleau is very talented no doubt, but their is a reason that he could not get along with Ron Wilson, and their is a reason he could not get along with Darryl Sutter.

It’s because Marleau work ethic is not that great. Do you want young players following his practice of being one of the first players off the ice after practice, do you want other players following his practice not putting the team first, and do you want other players to follow his pattern of being soft. Let’s face it Marleau is a very soft player, who has great speed, and good hands. Their is a reason why the Sharks want to remove him as captain, and it is not all about his ability.

The guy pouted the entire 07-08 season under Ron Wilson, because he could not get along with Ronnie. So you want this type of me first guy as the teams captain. And when the going gets tough, well Marleau usually gets going. You want young players to follow Marleaus pouting with the coach attitude? not me.

Posted by Fire Doug Wilson on 08/19/09 at 12:39 PM ET

Totally agree! We’re sick to death of the Marleau-bashing because it’s a selective remembrance of a quality player’s true contributions. Patrick deserves better and so do the loyal Sharks fans.

Posted by BevJoCat from Fremont, CA on 08/19/09 at 01:52 PM ET

I totally agree with you. Very well said! He didn’t say he had an injury but you could tell by his numbers and play that he had one… and it turned out to be a pretty serious one.

@Fire Doug Wilson: You make some good points. It’s possible that he wasn’t a great leader. But you never heard any players complain. And his work ethic on the ice (during games especially) is great, thought it doesn’t show (he looks like he’s not trying, but he’s doing some amazing things out there, like Jeff Carter). However, you seem to have a personal grudge against Marleau. I wouldn’t really consider his time with Ron Wilson as “pouting"… Wilson used to really bash his captain but Marleau continued to play. Its something that would’ve happened to the best of the best.
--

That being said, I seriously hope they don’t trade him. He has his no-trade clause and DW is a brilliant GM (one of the top 5 IMHO) so he should just let him stay. But I’m fine with a new captain. In all honesty, it may take some pressure off of him and make him a MUCH better player. And if that’s the case, he’ll be scary good. And a fresh start is never a bad thing.... looking forward to another good regular season, and a fantastic playoff season!

Posted by Keep Wilson and Marleau from Atlanta on 08/19/09 at 08:53 PM ET

Thank you! I agree 100%!

Posted by don't you dare trade Marleau from san jose, ca on 08/19/09 at 09:40 PM ET

Great Article Mike… Very informative.. In the case of Marleau, I think perception has become reality outside of San Jose.. and maybe inside the Shark Tank. San Jose is at a crossroads.. they are built to win now with several key players coming up for UFA in the next 2 years. Wilson GM should consider trading Marleau to shake things up and bring in some leadership and grit.. always a problem in San Jose. How about Marleau and Cheechoo for Drury, Voros and Lisin? The salaries match. Cheechoo’s production has slipped from 56 to 12 goals and at $3M/yr, is expendable. Drury brings the intangibles the Sharks need and at least San Jose gets something in return for an impending UFA while at the same time, getting rid of a locker room distraction.

Posted by Spyder from Rocky Mtns on 08/20/09 at 09:39 AM ET

Mike, good article. I do think too much blame was put on Marleau. Starting from a clean slate might help the team put things in perspective. I agree all the tools are there (as witnesses by regular season success) but change has to happen somewhere for the team to finish the season in June. Ever since Boyle came here, I’ve loved the guy. I think he’s the heart of this team. Pavelski as well. I’m pretty sure Boyle will get the “C” this year. I’d give the “A’s” to Thornton, Pavelski or Clowe. Let Marleau just play and I think he’ll be able to perform better.

Spyder, I’d say trade Cheechoo as well but I honestly don’t think anyone would take him (if someone does, I’d love to be proven wrong). Drury is probably not the guy I’d want for 7.5 mill at 60 points a season but to each his own. You make a good point. I dislike Drury so much, I’d almost rather have Bertuzzi on my team… almost. lol.

FDW, no use responding to your columns after this. Oh, how to explain your utter hatred of the Sharks?

Posted by Matt Fry from Winnipeg on 08/20/09 at 11:16 PM ET

In my opinion the Patty haters aren’t real Shark Fans for the most part.Boyle

would probably make a capable Captain and I certainly hope that Doug Wilson doesn’t Dismantle one of the Top three teams in the NHL,I believe that they

are if healthy more than capable of Winning the ultimate Prize.Marleau is

certainly an All Star caliber player and with 10 years of Experience in the

league if Healthy still has 6 0r 7 of his Best years still to come.Huge mistake

to let him Go at this time.Go Patty @ The Sharks!!!!!!!!!!

#1SharkFn

Posted by Anthony Flores,AKA #1SharkFn from Bay Area on 08/21/09 at 09:30 AM ET

WOW Fire Doug Wilson, you must be a coach or know Patty personally or spend a lot of time around him to know his personal schedule.... What qualifies you to actually know about his work habits vs his personal “needs”? Are you at practice everyday to witness this? Are you a trainer or maybe you’re Doug Wilson? If you are not, then you’re argument is pretty biased with no factual basis and is just an uneducated opinion.

As for Mike’s opinion, I appreciate the facts that he brings to the table to support his thoughts, so this, is an educated opinion that holds more merit.

I agree with Mike that Patty appears to be on the verge of finally fulfilling his potential label that we place on athletes. I hope he is successful, because I believe that his success will lead to the Sharks success. Whether he is captain or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is that he contributes to the team and leads by play, poise, determination. All of which are emerging in his game. So in my opinion, one does not need to wear the ‘C’ to be a good leader and that Patty is becoming a better leader that we should keep.

Posted by DW from Denver, CO on 08/22/09 at 09:40 AM ET

Marleau leaves practices early, misses optional skates and puts his personal needs in front of the team.

I’m not a beat writer, so the ins and outs of practices are lost on me. However, If this is in regards to the late-season meme about Marleau skipping out on practices (put out by a Mercury News writer that doesn’t usually cover hockey), Todd McLellan put that to bed by acknowledging that yes, Marleau was leaving practice early and skipping optionals—but it was to rehab his knee.

And for him putting personal needs in front of the team? Doug Wilson and McLellan let him be there for the birth of his second child. That happens pretty regularly for NHL players. If you have other specific examples, I’d like to see them.

Posted by Mike Chen on 08/22/09 at 11:45 AM ET

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About Mike Chen’s Hockey Blog

Mike Chen prides himself in being the only hockey writer integrating puck discussion with both Morrissey quotes and Star Wars references. Since 2004, he’s blogged about all things hockey and currently contributes to FoxSports.com, the Battle of California, and RotoRob.

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