Max Pacioretty has agreed to a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 2012 Bill Masterson Trophy winner looks to rebound following two lackluster seasons. The contract is worth a little under $875K. However, if Pacioretty plays in enough games he could earn up to $600K more.
One-year deals in Toronto:
Max Pacioretty comes in at $873,770
Steven Lorentz at $775KPacioretty also has games-played bonuses which could reach $600K. Those would count against next year’s cap
Toronto squeezing to maximize its space
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 7, 2024
Contract Follows PTO Opportunity
Pacioretty signed a professional tryout with the Maple Leafs on September 11. It was believed that the team would sign Pacioretty to a contract before the puck dropped on a new season.
Pacioretty Broke Out in His Third Season Following Scary Injury
Pacioretty’s start to his NHL career is an infamous one. On March 8, 2011, Pacioretty, then with the Montreal Canadiens, was checked by Boston Bruins defenceman and captain, Zdeno Chara. The force of the hit caused Pacioretty to collide with a stanchion at the end of the bench. Pacioretty was diagnosed with a 4th cervical vertebra and a grade 2 concussion. No fines or suspensions were issued to Chara, but a criminal investigation was conducted by the Montreal Police Service. Pacioretty himself was critical of the lack of discipline issued by the NHL.
Pacioretty recovered for the 2011-12 season, his third season in the league. Leading the Canadiens with 79 points (33 goals and 32 assists), Pacioretty found himself in a breakout season just a year after his injury. Pacioretty would receive the Bill Masterson Trophy at the end of this season for his sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Viva, Las Vegas!
In September of 2018, Pacioretty was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. Pacioretty remained a constant presence in the Vegas offence, albeit, his numbers were not as good as they were in Montreal.
Pacioretty helped the Golden Knights reach the Western Conference Final in 2020 and 2021. Both teams, the Golden Knights failed to advance.
In his final season with the Golden Knights, Pacioretty only played in 39 games due to a foot and wrist injury. The Golden Knights would fail to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Injuries And Ineffectiveness Spoiled Pacioretty’s Time in Carolina and Washington
Pacioretty joined the Carolina Hurricanes by virtue of a trade for the 2022-23 season. However, Pacioretty would tear his Achilles twice during the course of the season, limiting him to just five regular-season games.
Pacioretty joined the Washington Capitals for the 2023-254 season on an incentive-based contract. Pacioretty scored four goals in 47 games in the regular season. In the Capitals season-ending sweep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers, Pacioretty recorded just an assist in four games.
Max Pacioretty Enters New Contract with Something to Prove
The last four seasons of Pacioretty’s career have not been kind to him. At age 35, Pacioretty is on the downhill slope of his NHL career. While there is still hope he can be a productive player in the NHL again, it is possible who he has been these last four seasons is who he is now.
At this time, it is unclear who Pacioretty’s linemates will be. However, if he does time with players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, Pacioretty will have the opportunity to excel with the playmakers. Furthermore, Pacioretty could serve as an asset to the Leafs power play.
If he can return to being a productive player, a second Bill Masterson Trophy could be in his future.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
