Marleau 'grateful' to be back with Sharks

After spending 19 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Patrick Marleau is happy to be back in the Bay Area.

"The emotion I felt when that phone call came from Doug was just overwhelming," Marleau said on Wednesday, according to Curtis Pashelka of the Bay Area News Group. "I'm just very grateful to be back."

The Carolina Hurricanes bought out the veteran forward from the final year of his contract in June after the Toronto Maple Leafs traded him.

Marleau will make his season debut on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks after practicing on the Sharks' top line alongside Logan Couture and Timo Meier, according to The Athletic's Kevin Kurz.