Earlier this week, it was reported that Toronto was one of many groups displaying curiosity in unrestricted free agent winger Max Pacioretty. Evidently, they’re not the one Atlantic Division squad that has some curiosity within the veteran as Arthur Staple of The Athletic provides that the Pink Wings are believed to be serious about including the veteran as effectively.
The 35-year-old spent final season with Washington after inking a one-year, $2M contract which additionally carried one other $2M in efficiency bonuses which have been reached as soon as he performed in 20 video games. Whereas Pacioretty was in a position to play in that many video games, final season was nonetheless an injury-riddled marketing campaign as he labored his means again from his second torn Achilles tendon sustained within the 2022-23 season whereas taking part in for Carolina.
In consequence, Pacioretty was restricted to simply 47 video games final season. A six-time 30-goal scorer, he struggled significantly in that division, scoring simply 4 occasions though he was in a position so as to add 19 assists to remain close to the half-point-per-game price. However, that wasn’t the kind of efficiency that gave him some bargaining energy heading into free company.
The Pink Wings have already been lively up entrance with their free agent strikes this summer season. They re-signed wingers Patrick Kane and Christian Fischer, added wingers Vladimir Tarasenko and Tyler Motte and in addition inked Austin Watson to a PTO settlement. Contemplating they nonetheless should re-sign wingers Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren (plus defenseman Moritz Seider), it’s laborious to see a viable match for Pacioretty.
Whereas the veteran is believed to have curiosity from a number of groups, that shouldn’t be sufficient leverage to land rather more than the league minimal of $775K at this level of free company so this might be a case of Detroit viewing Pacioretty as a low-cost depth choice over somebody worthy of a full-time lineup spot. In that situation, including him may make some sense. However till they finalize contracts with their three remaining RFAs to get a greater sense of what they should work with financially, it could be a bit of stunning to see the Pink Wings commit any form of assured contract to Pacioretty or some other free agent.
