After much speculation, it is now official that veteran left-winger Max Pacioretty will be attending the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract.3]]The 35-year-old Pacioretty is a former captain of the Montreal Canadiens and has six 30-goal seasons under his belt in the NHL.Â
 Last season, he played 47 games for the Washington Capitals, recording 4 goals and 23 points.Â
While Pacioretty’s addition could help shore up the Maple Leafs’ thin group at left wing, there are some potential complications with this signing.Â
 Pacioretty has dealt with numerous injury issues in recent years, including an Achilles injury that kept him out for part of last season.
However, the Maple Leafs are willing to take a chance on the veteran forward, who will be looking to prove he can still be a productive top-six player in the NHL.
This PTO agreement gives Pacioretty the opportunity to earn a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs as he aims to continue his NHL career.Â
Max Pacioretty will attend Maple Leafs training camp on a Professional Tryout (PTO) pic.twitter.com/8UgMNOV5Rk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 11, 2024
Maple Leafs Bring in Veteran Winger Max Pacioretty on PTO
The Toronto Maple Leafs are taking a chance on veteran left-winger Max Pacioretty, who will be attending the team’s training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract.
The Maple Leafs’ left-wing depth is a bit uncertain heading into the season. While they have some intriguing young players like Matthew Knies, Easton Cowan, Nicholas Robertson, Bobby McMann, Pontus Holmberg, and Connor Dewar, this group only has a combined 166 career NHL points.
Pacioretty could provide valuable experience and scoring touch to complement the Leafs’ top offensive stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. The 35-year-old is a former 30-goal scorer and captain of the Montreal Canadiens, though his most recent season with the Washington Capitals was hampered by injuries and subpar analytics at even strength.
However, Pacioretty’s injury history is a concern, as he has dealt with numerous ailments in recent years, including an Achilles injury that kept him out for part of last season. The Maple Leafs are still willing to take a chance on the veteran forward, giving him an opportunity to earn a one-year contract and prove he can still be a productive top-six player in the NHL.
Pacioretty’s Potential Impact on the Maple Leafs
While most hockey is played at even strength, the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping that veteran winger Max Pacioretty can provide value beyond just his even-strength play.
The Maple Leafs already dominate at even strength, with stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander driving play. So Pacioretty’s potential weaknesses at even strength may be less of a concern, as the team can mitigate that with their overall talent and puck possession.
Instead, the Maple Leafs are likely hoping Pacioretty can provide experience, leadership, and scoring touch to complement their top offensive players. As a former 30-goal scorer and captain of the Montreal Canadiens, Pacioretty brings a wealth of experience that could benefit the Leafs’ younger wingers.
There’s also the chance that Pacioretty could rediscover his scoring touch, even if it’s unlikely he reaches those 30-goal heights again. The Maple Leafs are taking a low-risk chance on the veteran, giving him an opportunity to earn a contract and potentially provide an offensive boost.
Ultimately, it’s a smart move for the Maple Leafs to explore options like Pacioretty on a PTO. If he can add another element to their team, whether through his experience, scoring ability, or complementary play, it could pay dividends as they aim to make a deep playoff run. The upside may outweigh the concerns about his recent injury history and even-strength analytics.
