Report: Coyotes and Maple Leafs have had discussions on Patrick Marleau

The Arizona Coyotes have reportedly showed interest in veteran center/left winger Patrick Marleau of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Coyotes and Leafs have chatted about the 39-year-old Marleau, who spent 19 years of his 21-year career with the San Jose Sharks.

LeBrun said in the tweet that the Coyotes would most likely need another major asset to have real interest in their former division rival.

Marleau could provide a jolt to the Coyotes offense, which finished tied for 28th in the NHL in goals per game last season with 2.55.

Marleau has scored at least 30 points in every single one of his 21 seasons and has scored at least 40 points in five of his last seven seasons.

He has had seven seasons in his career where he scored more than 60 points, the last came in 2013-14.

His 37 points last season would have placed him fifth on the Coyotes.

The Leafs are likely trying to shed Marleau’s $6.25 million cap hit to make room to retain restricted free agent Mitchell Marner.

Marleau is set to be the fourth-highest paid player on the Leafs next season and was just the ninth-highest scorer on the team. Marner led Toronto with 94 points last year.

Despite Marleau’s age, he has been quite reliable playing in all 82 games in each of the past six seasons. He has played in more than 74 games in 20 out of his 21 seasons in the NHL.

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