Patrick Marleau to the Blue Jackets? It Could Happen

That didn't take long.

According to the Ottawa Sun, Sources say Sharks GM Doug Wilson would like to trade centre Patrick Marleau to the Blue Jackets before Marleau's two-year, $12.6-million contract extension and no-movement clause kick in July 1.

In return, Wilson wants Columbus' No. 6 overall pick in the draft, which he'd use to take a highly-rated defencemen.

Sources say that, while the Jackets have an interest in Marleau, they might only be willing to offer winger Nikolai Zherdev, who is coming off a career year.

"Are the Jackets really going to give up the No. 6 pick so they can get a guy who is going to be an unrestricted free agent in two years and can walk away for nothing?" a league source asked yesterday. "I know they want to spend money, and they've got lots of it to spend if the cap goes to $56 million, but is a guy like Marleau really worth giving up one of those top six selections to get?

"A team like Columbus, as much as they want to compete for a playoff spot, would be better off getting one of those defencemen that can help them next year."

Due to Columbus' strong desire to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and the fact the Jackets also have the No. 19 pick thanks to a previous deal with Colorado, a number of NHL insiders think Jackets GM Scott Howson could be amiable to a deal.

I don't think Howson would be willing to part with the No. 6 pick. But I think he would be willing to offer a package centered around the No. 19 selection.

I know Marleau had a bad year last year, tallying only 48 points. I know he's signed for over $6 million for each the next two years. He isn't the perfect fit, but I doubt the Jackets are going to find a perfect fit to fill that No. 1 center hole.

The two big-name centers that seem to be available are Marleau and Olli Jokinen. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch said the Jackets have no interest in Jokinen.

I'm no math major, but I'm pretty sure that leaves the 28-year old, 6'2" 220 lb. Marleau as a target.

Personally I'd still rather target two younger guys like Antoine Vermette and/or R.J. Umberger, but if we can land Marleau without giving up the No. 6 pick it's going to be hard to agrue with that move.

If the Jackets do acquire Marleau by July 1, this team could start looking a lot more attractive to a guy like Ryan Malone, who we can then throw money at. It's possible that next year's top two lines could look as follows:

Nash Marleau Malone
Zherdev XXX Modin

* XXX could be Brassard

That would be a good start.

If the Marleau deal goes down, don't look for it any sooner than Friday, and perhaps not even until the draft kicks off. I think Ron Wilson will hold out as long as he can to see if he can pry that No. 6 loose. But I really don't think Howson will be wiling to give it up. If Wilson can't find a better deal, I think he will have to settle for the No. 19 pick and a player from the Jackets.

It also wouldn't suprise me if the Jackets throw another pick into the mix, as the Sharks don't have any picks in the first three rounds of this draft.

Lots of smoke with Marleau to the Jackets over the past few weeks. Could there really be a fire here? We'll know in less than two days.