Max Pacioretty will be a Toronto Maple Leaf this season according to top insider

PUBLICATION

Tom Banks
September 10, 2024 (3:50 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The speculation around Max Pacioretty and the Toronto Maple Leafs has been heating up in recent times, and now a top insider all but confirms he'll join the team.

For weeks now, we have heard rumours that former Montreal Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty was on track to become a Toronto Maple Leaf, and from all signs, it appears to be a done deal. According to Frank Seravalli, there's still some salary cap issues for Toronto to work out, with a potential trade needing to happen before it becomes official, but for now, it appears from both sides to be a done deal.

The 35-year old has played in just 52 games over the past two seasons, with over 70 played in a single season just once since 2018, but given his experience and production, he will become a valuable piece for the bottom-six of the Maple Leafs lineup. Pacioretty has been dealing with some brutal injuries in recent years, with the worst of all being a torn achilles, but last season he bounced back well, producing four goals and 23 points in 47 games with the Washington Capitals, and given the talent around him in Toronto, it will be a big upgrade.

With the likes of Ryan Reaves, David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok all potential trade pieces, the Maple Leafs have the names to move out some salary cap in order to fit Pacioretty in, and if he gets back to his best this season, there's no doubting that he could be a major difference maker for the Stanley Cup hungry Maple Leafs.