TSN: Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 Radio on the most recent on UFA ahead Max Pacioretty.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Aaron Korolnek: “What are you listening to close to Max Pacioretty? Somebody who has been rumored to be no less than hooked up the Toronto Maple Leafs, probably. What’s your intel telling you on that entrance?”
Dreger: “Yeah, you recognize what, Aaron? We are able to rewind somewhat bit right here and return to Nicky Robertson dialog that we had, proper? You recognize, it’s about that left, left aspect. (Tyler) Bertuzzi is gone. So there’s, there’s a spot.
You’ll hope that it’s crammed internally. You’ll hope that, once more, developmentally, that Nick Robertson will get the contract achieved and slides into a spot no less than, the place he’s competing for a spot like that.
However what if he’s not fairly there? You recognize, then you definitely acquired to go searching the league. And, you recognize, Max Pacioretty is a big gamble to a degree, proper? Excessive character man, you recognize, he turns, what, 36 in November. So, yeah, I imply, his higher days are lengthy behind him. Performed lower than 50 video games for the Capitals final 12 months, however had 23 factors.
You recognize, there’s, there’s a give and take. Toronto has a historical past in bringing in older gamers like this. It hasn’t actually labored, however they introduced in good gamers. I consider (Jason) Spezza. I consider Joe Thornton, you recognize, Patrick Marleau. And go down the listing of the older gamers that do assist shepherd in, you recognize, a few of the core of this group, with Matthews being the captain and whatnot.
However is Max Pacioretty actually going to be okay with restricted ice if he can’t fill the function that he wants to have the ability to play?
So I might say it’s to be decided nonetheless, however I do know that the Toronto Maple Leafs have curiosity in no less than bringing them in on a PTO. No guarantees, no ensures, however Pacioretty additionally has curiosity from different groups within the Nationwide Hockey League. So we’ll should see how this performs out.”
