There is no way out of this deal. Discuss

The only way is if he is sent to another contender (one that must be better than Toronto), and they retain salary. It would open up cap space for 1 year and allow you to play someone more effective. The biggest things are: (1) does Marleau have any interest in this, and (2) are there any suitors for him. Personally, I can't imagine many cup contending teams wanting a 4 or 5 million dollar 40 year old man to play on their 4th line. In other words, Patty Marleau will be a leaf next year.

This is a business there is always ways to move him out. As you stated no contender will want to add this cap hit however many teams would love to take his cap hit and remaining salary after July 1st. You just need to find out what he wants or is willing to go.

You already have. He wants to go to...drumroll please....A CONTENDER

Its funny how things work eh? As soon as he signed the three year deal everyone said that the last your is going to kill them and guess what……. IT IS!! Honestly looking at the leaf’s situation if he was off the books, they would have a very manageable cap situation (Albeit for a contender)

Funny how a few weeks can change what people think someone might want. Guess he doesn't want to go to a contender would just like to be closer to his family in SJ.

Arizona kinda makes sense if they have the cap. Trading Hossa LTIR doesn't affect the cap but apparently is paid out of pocket 1m a year for two years. Leafs trade the 6.25m Marleau but is paid believe 2.5m in actual cash outlay. If Arizona can accept the 6.25m cap....and the Leafs add a sweetener, this might be the only deal that the Leafs, Marleau and the "other team" can agree.

Hossa+2020 7th for Marleau+2nd, 4th?

Maybe just the second...though Arizona has all the power since they might be the only west coast team that has the cap. But if it's your proposal, the Leafs might have no choice.

I feel a team who would be looking to acquire a Leaf player and has the ability to buy out Marleau could make a move.

Either way I look at it, we're going to lose out somewhere along the lines