Marleau: It's an honor to be able to call myself a Maple Leaf
The Toronto Maple Leafs got their man Sunday.
The addition of Patrick Marleau not only adds some flair to what had been, up until this point, a relatively quiet offseason for the Leafs' front office, but it also marks an end to the rebuild in Toronto.
However, for Marleau, the decision to leave the Bay Area after two decades wasn't an easy one.
"I think I've worn out a few carpets pacing around the house trying to make this decision over the last couple days," Marleau said Sunday, according to Kevin Kurz of NBC Sports. "But, I'm extremely excited and happy to be a part of the Maple Leafs organization."
Related: Babcock not concerned with Marleau's age: 'Have you seen him skate?'
Marleau leaves behind an impressive legacy in San Jose that should have Leafs fans salivating. The 37-year-old Aneroid, Saskatchewan native finishes his career in teal and black as the Sharks' leader in goals (508), points (1,082), power-play goals (160), and game-winning goals (98).
With that being said, the veteran forward is excited to be spending the next three years in The Six.
"It's definitely an honor to be able to call myself a Maple Leaf. Obviously as a Canadian-born player," said Marleau. "This decision took me quite awhile to come to, but I've made it, and I'm happy with it."
"I can't wait to get started."
We're sure Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander feel the exact same way.