Patrick Marleau admits to being "eyeballs deep in moving boxes" back home in California, but that didn't stop him from discussing his move to Toronto with hosts Steve Kouleas and Nick Alberga Thursday morning on NHL Network Radio.

Marleau, who signed a three-year contract with the Maple Leafs in July after spending the first 19 seasons of his NHL career with the Sharks, said that the opportunity to play for head coach Mike Babcock was a major reason why he decided to leave San Jose and come to Toronto.

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"I was able to play for Babs at a couple Olympics and obviously had some success there and it was a great experience; and I love the passion he brings to the game," stated Marleau. "He's got a great track record. That's part of the lure of going to Toronto and playing for him. I am going to be pushed; and I look forward to the challenge."

The 37-year-old Marleau helped Canada win gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, where each time Babcock served as head coach. Babcock is one of only two men's ice hockey coaches to lead their respective country to gold medals at consecutive Olympics. Marleau totaled nine points (2-7-9) in 13 Olympic games under Babcock.

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While playing for Babcock helped draw Marleau to Toronto after appearing in nearly 1,700 regular season and postseason games with the Sharks, the opportunity to play with the Leafs' young guns — like Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner — was also quite alluring.

"That was all part of the decision, as well," answered Marleau when asked about the chance to play with Matthews, et al. "You look at their team, and talk to anybody about their team, they have great young guys, a group that wants to get better every day. To be a part of that, to feed off that, to help them get to another level, helped me in making this decision."

Despite the positives of becoming a Maple Leaf, Marleau admitted leaving the Sharks was "extremely tough," in particular because of the many close relationships he built over the years with players who still wear the teal and black sweater.

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It's also been an adjustment for the rest of his family. Marleau's wife Christina is from the Bay area in California. She and their four boys are not only leaving behind the familiarity of their West Coast home, but they are moving to a new country, as well.

There's a whole lot of Canadian pride here. 💙 pic.twitter.com/dWbS17mmIW — Christina Marleau (@c_marleau) July 28, 2017

"This is all new to them, and me, so we have some excitement and a little bit of nervousness," offered Marleau. "The three older boys are playing (hockey) and my oldest told me he had to get on a good team there (in Toronto) so I'm going to see what I can do. We have to try and make it work for him."

Figure on the Leafs helping out in finding the boys new teams. Anything to help ease the transition for their big summer acquisition.

Happy family. Happy Patrick Marleau. Happy Toronto Maple Leafs.