Marleau to Re-Join Sharks Organization? ‘We’re in talks’

Is Patrick Marleau returning to the San Jose Sharks?

Marleau suggested as much today at the city of San Jose’s Patrick Marleau Day proclamation and flag raising event.

The 43-year-old, who officially retired from playing last summer, shared, “I would love to be involved with the Sharks organization for sure, as much as I can. Try and find something I’m good at. We’re in talks.”

That’s a welcome, if not surprising prelude, to Marleau’s jersey retirement this Saturday night. Marleau is set to become the first player to have his jersey retired by the San Jose Sharks.

Another prelude was today’s event, held at City Hall. Marleau, wife Christina, and sons Landon, Brody, Jagger, and Caleb attended, as did parents Denis and Jeanette.

The Marleau family pic.twitter.com/UnBT0F6lvR

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 23, 2023

San Jose Sharks president Jonathan Becher and San Jose mayor Matt Mahan hosted the city of San Jose’s official proclamation that this Feb. 25 will be Patrick Marleau Day in the city of San Jose.

Waiting for, I presume, the mayor, Marleau leaves his seat for a few minutes to take pictures and sign autographs for fans attending, standing on the side pic.twitter.com/0vRh6JTWJU

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 23, 2023

Becher kicked the event off, introducing Mr. Shark.

Marleau made a short speech then took questions from a healthy media contingent that included Bay Area TV sports reporters Verne Glenn and Kate Rooney. Considering the team’s record, I don’t blame them, but safe to say, the Sharks aren’t usually foremost in the Bay Area sports media’s minds.

But it was a special day.

Marleau quipped, on what he knew about San Jose when he got drafted by the Sharks in 1997: "I didn't know much about San Jose, I think in my head, I had a vision of just a lot of beach, a lot of sand, a lot of palm trees."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 23, 2023

Mayor Mahan received a new Sharks jersey, and to be honest, he looked perhaps disappointed that his name wasn’t on the back of it.

It’s officially Patrick Marleau Day! pic.twitter.com/bOQLHgaeOZ

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 23, 2023

The official proclamation for Patrick Marleau Day pic.twitter.com/MzjyovArDd

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 23, 2023

Finally, they raised the flag for Patrick Marleau Day. It took a couple beats to unwind the flag, but the fans in attendance took it in stride, giving Marleau a rousing ovation.

Great moment, the fans chant — “Patty! Patty!! Patty!!!” pic.twitter.com/duHhGWqxi6

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 23, 2023

That was perhaps the highlight of the event for me, seeing the authentic connection that the San Jose Sharks legend had made with the die-hards.

Marleau’s jersey retirement ceremony begins at 5:30 PM on Saturday at SAP Center.

For a complete list of the festivities surrounding Marleau’s jersey retirement, go here.