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Max Pacioretty Makes His Decision on Maple Leafs Return for the 2024-25 Season
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Pending free agent veteran Max Pacioretty has made it clear that he wants to remain with the Maple Leafs and it seems like the feeling is mutual according to a new report.
It wasn't the way the season wanted to go for Max Pacioretty, but he still made the most of it through some terrible injuries and was a bright spot in the playoffs though it wasn't meant to be.
Max Pacioretty and Toronto reunion very possible
So perhaps Pacioretty wants to run it back one more time, and the latest report shows that both sides have mutual interest with each other, and a reunion might be in the works.
According to James Mirtle of The Athletic, talk during the Draft Combine this weekend was that Pacioretty and the Leafs are coming together to discuss a new deal:
One piece of good news over the past few days is that UFA Max Pacioretty is leaning toward a return after the Leafs expressed considerable interest in keeping him following a terrific postseason, according to a league source.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring back Pacioretty, as he was effective when healthy and while it might give fans some pause, he does offer a lot in a bottom six role.
Max Pacioretty a perfectly cheap bottom-six option
He's no longer captain of a team, or the first line presence he was a decade ago, but Pacioretty has proven he can be productive.
He did only skate in 35 games this season, but he added 13 points (8G, 5A) but where he really shined was the playoffs.
His eight points in 11 games was some of the best production the Leafs got this postseason, and he brought a lot of energy and physicality as well; not bad for a league minimum signing in September.
While it's likely the team brings him back on the league minimum for another year, if the team wants to keep him around until basically retirement then they could sign him to a two-year deal for $2M and allow him a couple years to try and win.
In 939 games, the former Canadiens captain has 681 points (335G, 346A) and is one of the greatest American scorers in history, ranking 21st all-time.
It would be nice for Pacioretty to be able to go out on his own terms, and Toronto seems like they can give him the most comfortable option as his career winds down.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 9 | 574 ANSWERS Max Pacioretty Makes His Decision on Maple Leafs Return for the 2024-25 Season Would you bring Max Pacioretty back to the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 478 | 83.3 % |
| No | 96 | 16.7 % |
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