It seems the Toronto Maple Leafs are kicking tires on the concept of signing veteran ahead Max Pacioretty. A number of sources, together with Nick Alberga of The Nation Community and Arthur Staple of The Athletic, are reporting affirmation of the crew’s curiosity.
Alberga posted on Thursday, “Break from trip.. Sources affirm the Maple Leafs are among the many groups firmly within the combine to signal veteran UFA ahead Max Pacioretty.” Reactions to the information was combined, with some saying he might nonetheless supply one thing, however others noting that the Leafs don’t want a objective scorer.
Including an intriguing bit of stories to the story, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Interval added, “Listening to similar re Leafs/Pacioretty. This could be a SPC (normal participant contract), not a PTO, if they comply with phrases.” In different phrases, the Leafs aren’t Pacioretty as somebody they’ll stroll away from on a PTO if issues don’t work out. They’re contemplating signing him proper out of the gate.
Arthur Staple of The Athletic notes that the Detroit Pink Wings are additionally a crew that has proven curiosity, however he provides:
Pacioretty has to show he can put the puck within the web nonetheless, so groups just like the Hawks, Utah or the Flames, the place he might play a extra distinguished scoring function, may be the smarter play. That might additionally flip right into a deadline transfer to a contender if he has a stable season.
Will the Maple Leafs add Pacioretty this summer time and what is going to the contract appear to be if he indicators? He’s been affected by accidents over the previous a number of seasons, and it doesn’t look like groups are lining as much as signal him. His earlier cap hit was $2 million, however it’s unlikely he makes wherever near that this coming season.
Subsequent: Time for Nick Robertson to Pace Dial Mentor Jason Spezza
