One of the biggest struggles the Toronto Maple Leafs have had in past years has been their lack of depth and scoring up front. The team has gone through countless different players and combinations that simply haven’t fit the bill, although they may have found another piece to their puzzle. The team has invited Max Pacioretty to camp on a professional tryout, where the veteran will compete for a contract prior to the 2024-25 season.
The Leafs should sign Pacioretty for this season because he can bring value, depth, scoring, and has experience where the leafs lack it.
It’s safe to say Max Pacioretty hasn’t had an easy go the last couple of seasons, suffering an Achilles injury in the 2022 offseason, then re-injuring the same Achilles five games after his return. In 2023-24, Pacioretty made his return mid-way through the season, posting four goals and 19 assists for 23 points in 47 games with the Washington Capitals.
Though he put up respectable numbers last season, you can expect Pacioretty to gain a step this season, as he’s had his first fully healthy offseason and training camp in two years. Having the time to properly rehabilitate should help him regain some of his previous form that made him such a consistent scorer throughout his career. Although he has faced injuries that raise valid concerns, Pacioretty is a player who can still bring a lot to the Leafs.
Pacioretty’s contract carried a cap hit of two-million dollars for one season, with his age and risk of injury he likely won’t be getting a raise this season. The Leafs’ depth on their left side could also use some work. The team lost Tyler Bertuzzi, their top line left winger, and they will likely look to Matthew Knies to step into that role. Arguably, Pacioretty is a good candidate to be next in line. With 16 years of experience, and an affordable contract, Pacioretty brings great value, while being a solid middle six option for the Leafs.
Statistically, Pacioretty’s 2023-24 season was an outlier for him, scoring only four goals on 95 shots, shooting only 4.2 per cent, which is six per cent under league average, and 6.9 per cent under his career average. This indicates Pacioretty was unlucky last season but if a few more bounces go his way this year, his goal totals will rise again.
Pacioretty is a natural goal scorer, tallying six seasons with 30 goals or more, 25 career playoff goals, and 80 career power-play goals. The Leafs have struggled to find consistent scoring in the playoffs throughout their lineup and Pacioretty’s scoring touch could benefit them in those departments.
In the 2023-24 playoffs the Leafs power-play only converted once on 21 attempts, Pacioretty being a good net front presence and another perimeter shooting option on the power-play, gives the Leafs more versatility.
As the season approaches, the Leafs have the opportunity to bolster their forward group with a player that fits their needs. Pacioretty offers invaluable experience with a history of play-off success, a much-needed knack for scoring, all at a great value.
Max Pacioretty could be a key addition to attaining the playoff success the Leafs have been longing to have, so what are we waiting for?