Patrick Marleau may have just moved another giant step closer to returning to the San Jose Sharks.
The Carolina Hurricanes bought out Marleau’s contract on Thursday, five days after acquiring the 39-year-old from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a salary dump move, the News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. reported.
Hurricanes will buy out Marleau, Don Waddell said. Owe him his $3 million signing bonus now and $833,333 split over the next two years.
Marleau has been vocal about returning to San Jose, where he spent the first 19 years of his NHL career and was beloved by teammates and fans alike.