Max Pacioretty Breaks his Silence After Being Benched for Second Straight Game
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Photo credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Coming into Saturday's game vs. the New York Rangers, Max Pacioretty has been a healthy scratch the previous two games and commented on his recent benching.
When Max Pacioretty signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs on a PTO this summer, he impressed enough to earn a contract and be a part of a team who is hungry for playoff success and was expected to bring veteran scoring and leadership towards the bottom half of the lineup. However, the past two games he's been a healthy scratch as head coach Craig Berube has been pleased with how his team has performed without Pacioretty.
It must be hard on a player but Pacioretty is trying to take things in stride and commented on the two-game benching after Toronto's practice on Saturday. While Pacioretty feels he can contribute, he's not taking it personally:
"I'm dealing with it the best I can, just work. I'm at this stage of my career for a reason. Would I rather be playing? Of course, anyone would rather be playing, but at the same time, I know I can help the team, even when I'm not playing."
It's Toronto's hot start that has Pacioretty on the outside looking in, and while he did open the Maple Leafs season with their first goal of the season, he found himself with diminished time against New Jersey before sitting out the next two. Coming off two very injury-filled seasons, Pacioretty was trying to prove that he still belongs in the league and isn't too far removed from averaging 24 goals as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. He was certainly impressive in the preseason but the regular season is another beast, and Toronto can't afford to mess up any potential chemistry just for the sake of not hurting feelings.
For his career, Pacioretty has been one of the most consistent players in the league, with the former Montreal Canadiens captain scoring 331 goals and 338 assists over his 17-year NHL career, not to mention a cool 25 goals and 25 assists in the postseason. Pacioretty would be a huge help for Toronto but he needs to show Craig Berube he can hang in his system, and that he can contribute just as much as his teammates, it's just up to Berube to see where he fits.
If Max Pacioretty can't get his game going on the ice, it would be unfortunate for the 35-year-old. But his leadership and veteran wisdom could prove invaluable off the ice as Toronto tries to end their Stanley Cup drought.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 19 | 279 ANSWERS Max Pacioretty Breaks his Silence After Being Benched for Second Straight Game What should Toronto do with Max Pacioretty if Craig Berube doesn't have a place for him? | ||
| Keep him in case of emergency | 143 | 51.3 % |
| Trade him | 53 | 19 % |
| Release him | 60 | 21.5 % |
| He retires and takes a coaching role | 23 | 8.2 % |
| List of polls | ||