Max
It seems to me that virtually everyone wanted Max Pacioretty traded at the end of last season. This off-season there seems to be a rehabilitation of Max’s image and now it appears very few people want him traded. What has happened to change popular opinion especially since no games have been played?
This change of direction could be attributed to several things. First, the trading of Alex Galchenyuk means that the only pure natural sniper left on the team is Pacioretty. Second, the long term injury of Shea Weber means there is a lack of veteran leadership on the team other than Price and Pacioretty. Third, Pacioretty changed agent and Allan Walsh knows the PR game inside-out. The fact that Walsh is the agent for Jonathan Drouin means that the trading of Pacioretty could result in more team dissension. Fourth, the media maybe helped by Walsh has begun to sing the praises of Max. During the last season, Pacioretty’s anemic production, his lack of chemistry with Drouin, and his perimeter lackadaisical demeanor on the ice led to constant disparagement by most hockey pundits. However, during the off-season most pundits have stressed Pacioretty’s family life and his preference to remain in Quebec year-round. Most also predict Pacioretty will rebound production-wise after being one of the more consistent goal-scorers until last year. Hockey reporters as diverse as Rejean Tremblay and Pat Hickey have called for Pacioretty to be signed.
So where do we go from here? Is it in the habs interest to sign Max long-term meaning a minimum of 5 years even though he probably prefers 6-8 years. Pacioretty has also been underpaid for many seasons. Pacioretty signed a long term contract a year after Chara broke his neck and below market value probably because of the uncertainty of his future health. Clearly, Max has had to grin and bear it as Subban signed for 9 million and Price for 10.5 million and players with similar stats earned double what he did. Obviously at his age, Pacioretty wants to be over-compensated for the money lost in the past. I assume he wants a minimum of 7 million. Of course, the longer the term the amount might be slightly less.
The rumours abound that Pacioretty was offered to the Kings during the draft and the only reason the trade was not consummated was due to the fact the Kings lowballed Max on a future contract. If true, I do not see how Pacioretty could be enthused about remaining a hab. Bergevin to his credit has remained tight-lipped and the only comment I recall him making was that goal scorers are hard to find and not usually available.
The problem in signing Pacioretty is that we are unsure whether the habs are rebuilding or not. Having Price and Weber on the team with their gargantuan contracts means the habs are not in full rebuilding mode. Does signing Pacioretty mean they will try one more time to see if Drouin clicks with Max? If we sign Pacioretty long term and it doesn’t work out will his contract be tradable in the 7-8 million range. Will Max ask for a non-movement clause? In the NHL cap world, the habs could be stuck with three untradable players.
If Pacioretty is traded will the habs get fair market value? It is hard to understand why the Rangers were able to get what they did for Rick Nash last year and Bergevin is unable to get the same thing for Max who is younger with similar production. Has Bergevin created the impression he trades players away frivolously? Another thing that has been minimized is the fact Pacioretty is the captain. When the habs have traded other captains like Carbonneau or Keane the results have not been good for team spirit. Finally, it is unfortunate that the habs and Pacioretty find themselves in this quandry. We can only hope that something positive comes out of it like the Duchene situation last year.
This change of direction could be attributed to several things. First, the trading of Alex Galchenyuk means that the only pure natural sniper left on the team is Pacioretty. Second, the long term injury of Shea Weber means there is a lack of veteran leadership on the team other than Price and Pacioretty. Third, Pacioretty changed agent and Allan Walsh knows the PR game inside-out. The fact that Walsh is the agent for Jonathan Drouin means that the trading of Pacioretty could result in more team dissension. Fourth, the media maybe helped by Walsh has begun to sing the praises of Max. During the last season, Pacioretty’s anemic production, his lack of chemistry with Drouin, and his perimeter lackadaisical demeanor on the ice led to constant disparagement by most hockey pundits. However, during the off-season most pundits have stressed Pacioretty’s family life and his preference to remain in Quebec year-round. Most also predict Pacioretty will rebound production-wise after being one of the more consistent goal-scorers until last year. Hockey reporters as diverse as Rejean Tremblay and Pat Hickey have called for Pacioretty to be signed.
So where do we go from here? Is it in the habs interest to sign Max long-term meaning a minimum of 5 years even though he probably prefers 6-8 years. Pacioretty has also been underpaid for many seasons. Pacioretty signed a long term contract a year after Chara broke his neck and below market value probably because of the uncertainty of his future health. Clearly, Max has had to grin and bear it as Subban signed for 9 million and Price for 10.5 million and players with similar stats earned double what he did. Obviously at his age, Pacioretty wants to be over-compensated for the money lost in the past. I assume he wants a minimum of 7 million. Of course, the longer the term the amount might be slightly less.
The rumours abound that Pacioretty was offered to the Kings during the draft and the only reason the trade was not consummated was due to the fact the Kings lowballed Max on a future contract. If true, I do not see how Pacioretty could be enthused about remaining a hab. Bergevin to his credit has remained tight-lipped and the only comment I recall him making was that goal scorers are hard to find and not usually available.
The problem in signing Pacioretty is that we are unsure whether the habs are rebuilding or not. Having Price and Weber on the team with their gargantuan contracts means the habs are not in full rebuilding mode. Does signing Pacioretty mean they will try one more time to see if Drouin clicks with Max? If we sign Pacioretty long term and it doesn’t work out will his contract be tradable in the 7-8 million range. Will Max ask for a non-movement clause? In the NHL cap world, the habs could be stuck with three untradable players.
If Pacioretty is traded will the habs get fair market value? It is hard to understand why the Rangers were able to get what they did for Rick Nash last year and Bergevin is unable to get the same thing for Max who is younger with similar production. Has Bergevin created the impression he trades players away frivolously? Another thing that has been minimized is the fact Pacioretty is the captain. When the habs have traded other captains like Carbonneau or Keane the results have not been good for team spirit. Finally, it is unfortunate that the habs and Pacioretty find themselves in this quandry. We can only hope that something positive comes out of it like the Duchene situation last year.
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