Max Pacioretty linked to San Jose Sharks in new offseason rumor
Photo credit: NHL
Max Pacioretty is still without a contract for next season, leading to speculation as to where he could end up, including San Jose.
The Sharks are a bad team. They were the worst team in the league last season, and it was not particularly close. Even with the additions of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, the team will almost certainly finish in the bottom five again next year. Furthermore, the team figures to be one of the youngest teams in the league with an influx of prospects making their NHL debuts.
So why would a team in this position be interested in signing a player like Pacioretty? Well for one, he would provide some veteran leadership to the group, teaching the young stars like Macklin Celebrini how to be a leader at the NHL level. Furthermore if he has a good season, he could potentially be traded at the deadline for more future assets to aid in the rebuild. What risk is there to the Sharks? As the Hockey news reporter Max Miller points out, if the team signs him to a professional tryout (PTO), there is no risk whatsoever. If things work out, great he joins the team on a league minimum deal. If not, oh well, no harm no foul right?
"If the Sharks were to give Pacioretty a PTO and made the roster, he would be a perfect veteran third-line winger who can also play on the second powerplay unit. He could also provide veteran leadership to a young team, as he was the captain of the Canadiens from 2015-2018.
While he's not the same as he once was on the Montreal Canadiens or Vegas Golden Knights, bringing in the 2007 first-round pick on a PTO will allow the Sharks to have no commitment to him on the roster."
While he's not the same as he once was on the Montreal Canadiens or Vegas Golden Knights, bringing in the 2007 first-round pick on a PTO will allow the Sharks to have no commitment to him on the roster."
Pacioretty got into 47 games with the Capitals last season and had 4 goals and 23 points for his efforts, roughly a 40 point pace over the course of a full season. Granted, he hasn't come close to a full season since 2019-20 when he appeared in 71 games with the Golden Knights. Overall, he's played in 902 career regular season games and scored 330 goals and 338 assists for 668 points. Will his next point come with the Sharks, someone else, or not at all? After all, if there is no interest from around the league, he very well could retire at this point. We will just have to wait and see what happens.
Source: PuckReporter
Free agent Max Pacioretty linked to Western Conference team
Free agent Max Pacioretty linked to Western Conference team
Source: TheHockeyNews
PTO Candidates: Sharks Should Try Out Max Pacioretty
PTO Candidates: Sharks Should Try Out Max Pacioretty
Source: HockeyReference
Max Pacioretty Career Statistics
Max Pacioretty Career Statistics
| POLL | ||
18 AOUT | 58 ANSWERS Max Pacioretty linked to San Jose Sharks in new offseason rumor Do you think the San Jose Sharks should sign Max Pacioretty to a PTO contract? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 69 % |
| No | 18 | 31 % |
| List of polls | ||
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