NHL

Max Pacioretty Traded, Signs Contract Extension with Golden Knights

One of the hottest topics of the offseason has been where Max Pacioretty would play during the 2018-19 season. Following a late-night trade and a contract extension, Pacioretty will be a part of the Vegas Golden Knights. Pacioretty was captain of the Montréal Canadiens for three years after being named in 2015.

The Golden Knights wasted no time signing Pacioretty to a new deal, even with one year still remaining. Currently, he has an average annual value of $4.5 million, which will increase to $7 million following the coming season. The new contract earns him $28 million total over four years with the Golden Knights. It also comes with a modified no-trade agreement, allowing him to submit a 10-team no-trade list.

In exchange for Pacioretty, the Canadiens acquired Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second-round pick in the NHL draft. It’s a big haul for the Canadiens, as they are trying to avoid another disappointing season. Pacioretty only scored 17 goals in 64 games last season, his lowest since the abbreviated 2012-13 lockout season. However, the Golden Knights know what he’s capable of.

Vegas Ultimately Gains

On the surface, it looks like the Golden Knights got the worse end of the deal. They lost a player, a prospect and a pick while only gaining one roster player. Suzuki could be a great player, but it’s still too early in his career to predict his impact. If he turns out to be a consistent 20+ goal-scorer, then the Golden Knights might have only profited in the short term.

The team gained more than just a great player by signing Pacioretty. He is going to be able to be a locker room presence and leadership figure for a team that currently does not have a captain. It is unlikely that Pacioretty would be named captain with Deryk Engelland, William Karlsson or Pierre-Édouard Bellemare potentially in line for the title, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to play a significant role with the team.

James Neal was a key component to the Golden Knights success during 2017-18, but someone else would have to step up with him now in Calgary. That is no longer a concern—Pacioretty will slot in on the left wing where Neal was.

Pacioretty had a rough patch, but a return to his former glory seems… almost inevitable. Setting aside the 2017-18 season, Pacioretty recorded 60+ points in each of his last four seasons. These all came with 30 or more goals, so the elite talent is there. Even if some of his best years are behind him, if he can manage around 45 points per season, he will be a solid addition to a still-growing team.

Social Media

Follow Jess on Twitter: @jmstarr_ 

Photo Credit

Photo Courtesy of Mel