New Details Emerge on Max Pacioretty That Could Impact His Future with the Maple Leafs

New reporting reveals that the Toronto Maple Leafs could end up bringing back forward Max Pacioretty after all, although there's a pressing roster decision that would need to be stipulated in order to achieve this.

Although the door was never closed on his return, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been seldom linked to a reunion with Pacioretty, and with a flurry of bottom-six signings seemed already phased out of the Leafs plans. The door, however, does not seem closed.

Pacioretty, 36, surprised some when he earned a roster spot for the Leafs after signing a PTO in the offseason, proving that he still had a bit of gas left in the tank with five goals and 13 points in 37 games for Toronto, while being solid when given proper minutes.

There's the potential that Pacioretty could go one more season in the NHL, and it's indicated that's a very real possibility to see Pacioretty, who is still unsigned, earn a new contract.

A recent article from 'The Hockey News' indicated that Max Pacioretty, who reportedly is interested in going one more season, could be on the radar of a few teams, including Toronto.

As THN's Michael Augello states, there is still interest in a potential reunion between the Leafs and Pacioretty, they would need to move out one or both of David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok.

Augello also notes the potential of a return to Pacioretty to Montreal, where he spent his first 10 seasons, as well as his hometown Detroit Red Wings, and where he played college for the Michigan Wolverines.

Pacioretty spends his summers in Michigan, clearly still having a closeness for the state and from a life after hockey perspective, it makes sense to end his career in Detroit, much like John Tavares is intending to do in Toronto.

As Augello mentioned, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have to move one of Kampf or Jarnkrok to make room for Pacioretty, although both being moved isn't impossible.

The concerns have already swirled over the potential of Kampf as expendable, and Jarnkrok is someone who could see himself out as well if Nick Robertson is staying.

Logically, keeping the younger Kampf & Jarnkrok seem more sensible, as Pacioretty has shown both signs of a decline and the inability to stay healthy. While Pacioretty has shown flashes of skill left in him, he's struggled to do so consistently.

Though if Toronto is still lacking space and the veteran forward gets a call from someone like Detroit or even perhaps his old club Montreal, then odds are he's headed there this upcoming season.

It would be more likely to think Max Pacioretty finds himself elsewhere than Toronto if he wants to continue his NHL career for one last go, but the Leafs could still bank on the capable Pacioretty that showed up when healthy if they feel strongly he still has more to give.