Toronto Maple Leafs make big push to bring Pacioretty back: report
The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have some clarity around the future of the subject of one of the best stories of their playoff run.
According to a report from The Athletic’s James Mirtle, forward Max Pacioretty is strongly considering returning to the Leafs next year, likely on a short-term 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,” Mirtle wrote in an article today for The Athletic.
Pacioretty put up 13 points in 37 regular-season games, signing in Toronto on a one-year contract after initially joining the team in training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract.
While his regular-season stats weren’t exactly eye-popping, the veteran forward proved his effectiveness in the playoffs, putting up three goals and five assists in 11 games after being held out of the lineup for the Leafs’ first two contests against the Ottawa Senators.
In his last appearance with the media following the Leafs’ exit from the postseason, Pacioretty admitted an uncertain future.
“This year was very difficult for me, being away from my family, so I’m really excited just to get home and be with them, and talk to them about what’s next in life,” Pacioretty told reporters at the Leafs’ locker room cleanout day. “But in terms of playing, that’s difficult to answer right now.”
The 36-year-old playing out what could be the final seasons of his NHL career in Toronto would’ve seemed improbable just a few short years ago. A 2007 first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens and a former captain of the Leafs’ oldest rival, it appears that the Connecticut native has embraced his time in Toronto enough to consider another contract with the team.
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