The veteran forward has twice suffered an Achilles injury.
The veteran forward has twice suffered an Achilles injury.
Max Pacioretty is eager to prove that he is past a couple of devastating Achilles injuries.
The former Montreal Canadiens captain signed a professional tryout with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. One day later, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving explained how it all came together.
"We brought Max in, it was probably a month ago now, maybe three weeks ago, for a couple days here where he was very open, obviously going through a medical exam, but he got on the ice for us," Treliving said. "And just seeing where he was at, he feels that he's had a couple of years here, two-and-a-half years where he hasn't had an opportunity to train, right? It's been rehabbing. And he came back last year and jumped in sort of halfway through the season.
"At the end of the year he felt he wasn't where he wanted to be physically and was able to have a full summer of training. And so we'll see."
Pacioretty returned from his second Achilles injury midway through last season with the Washington Capitals. He had four goals and 19 assists in 47 games with the club and had one assist in four playoff games with Washington. The production was considered low by the 35-year-old's standards.
But the bet from the Leafs now is that a full training camp and recovery will allow Pacioretty to regain his form.
But is he guaranteed a spot in the lineup?
"Our expectation is he's going to come in, he gives us more depth. All that stuff's going to sort itself out at camp, right? I know we all get excited when we see guys out here,' Treliving said. "But to me, what we're trying to do is make our roster as deep as possible. I think there's going to be lots of people pushing for jobs. Where everybody fits and who they fit with, Craig (Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube) and the coaching staff will figure it out. I'm just trying to give them as many options as we possibly can. But we're excited to see Max, get him up to speed."
Pacioretty's Achilles troubles began in August 2022 when he initially tore it during offseason training. After undergoing surgery, he returned to action in January 2023 to make his debut with the Carolina Hurricanes. He scored three goals in five games before tearing it again.
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