A familiar face will be donning the blue and white this fall when training camp opens.
Forward Max Pacioretty has signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced Wednesday.
Pacioretty, 35, played on a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals last season after back-to-back Achilles tendon tears while a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. He put up four goals and 19 assists in 47 games.
Well known for his time playing with Toronto’s rivals the Montreal Canadiens, the New Canaan, Conn., native has picked up 330 goals and 338 assists in 902 games over a 16-year NHL career.
The Canadiens selected Pacioretty 22nd overall in the 2007 NHL Draft and he became Montreal’s captain in 2015.
However, he’s dealt with injuries in recent seasons, limiting his production over the last four years. He hasn’t played more than 70 games in a season since the 2019-20 campaign.
Professional tryout deals offer out-of-contract players a chance to earn a job in training camp.
After being bought out by the Vegas Golden Knights, veteran forward Max Pacioretty has signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 33-year-old winger is looking to prove himself once again in the NHL after a disappointing end to his time in Vegas.
Pacioretty was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2007 and spent 10 seasons with the team before being traded to the Golden Knights in 2018. During his time in Montreal, he was known for his scoring touch and leadership on and off the ice. He was named captain of the Canadiens in 2015 and recorded multiple 30-goal seasons.
In Vegas, Pacioretty continued to be a consistent scorer, tallying 66 goals and 65 assists in 125 games over two seasons. However, injuries limited his playing time in the 2020-2021 season, and he struggled to find his scoring touch in the playoffs.
Now, Pacioretty is looking to revitalize his career with the Maple Leafs. The team is in need of scoring depth on the wing, and Pacioretty could provide a much-needed boost to their offense. If he can stay healthy and regain his scoring touch, he could be a valuable addition to the team.
Signing a professional tryout contract gives Pacioretty the opportunity to showcase his skills and earn a spot on the Maple Leafs’ roster for the upcoming season. It’s a low-risk move for the team, as they can evaluate Pacioretty’s performance in training camp before deciding whether to offer him a contract.
Overall, Pacioretty signing a professional tryout contract with the Maple Leafs is an intriguing move that could benefit both parties. If he can prove himself in training camp and earn a spot on the roster, he has the potential to make a significant impact for Toronto this season. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how Pacioretty performs and whether he can recapture his scoring touch in a new environment.