San Jose Sharks
Sharks’ Marleau Won’t Let NHL Delays Keep Him From Huge Record
If the 2020/21 NHL season is delayed, San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau says he’s got a plan to help him break all-time games record.
Time is ticking away on Patrick Marleau. Understanding and admitting that a number of factors could contribute to how many games an NHL player might play in a given season, if there’s no 2020/21 season (even a shortened one), for the veteran forward, he will get some bad news. More specifically, Marleau could have a hard time breaking a massive record he’s on the verge of breaking.
Related: Patrick Marleau Signs 1-Yr Deal with Sharks
Marleau is set to go down in NHL history. He is just 45 games shy of breaking the all-time games played record and should the Sharks winger get 45 games in, he’ll pass Gordie Howe on the NHL’s all-time games played list. He also shoot past Mark Messier, Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis, putting him at the top of some pretty elite company. Unfortunately for Marleau, there’s some serious doubt about whether or not the NHL gets in a full season, nonetheless even 45 games.
Notwithstanding the idea that an injury, poor play or other factors could lead to Marleau not getting on the ice regularly during the 2020-21 NHL campaign, the threat that there will be major delays on the season, coupled with Marleau’s age suggests the forward could fall just short. As such, at 41, Marleau told NBC Bay Area’s Brodie Brazil that he’s already planning ahead to be ready for a 2021-22 campaign.
“If it gets pushed back, I still feel confident that I’ll be able to play,” he said. “My goal is to keep staying in shape, keep skating. If I can do that then worst-case scenario, if there isn’t another season, I’m still in shape. Still in the mode to play.”
While “continuing to play” doesn’t sound like much of a plan, it’s easier said than done. For Marleau, so many factors go into whether or not he’ll get another contract after this season, there are no guarantees.
It Would Be a Terrible Reason Not to Break the Record
Some fans may hope that Marleau doesn’t break the record. Howe’s 1767 games played is quite the feat and there’s certainly a contingent of fans who hope to see one of the greats of the game stay at the top of the chart. That said, if Marleau doesn’t break the record because of something not in his control, that’s just lousy luck.
It’s one thing if Marleau sees a drop in production to the point he’s not as useful and NHL player and doesn’t get there on his own. But, he’s ready to play, wants to play and the Sharks would like to use him. They simply can’t can’t because no one knows when the season will resume again.
The good news is, the NHL is shooting for January 1, 2021. The bad news is, few people seem to believe that’s a realistic starting date. If things get pushed back to February, there may be real concern that 45 games is going to be tight.
Next: Toronto Maple Leafs 2021 NHL Roster is Bursting with Possibilities
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