‘I’m Pretty Confident’: Head Coach Craig Berube And Maple Leafs Expecting Max Pacioretty To Return For Playoffs After Long-Term Injured Reserve Stint

Jan 11, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty (67) during warm up before a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty has been sidelined since early February, but head coach Craig Berube believes the veteran winger will be ready to return for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Pretty confident, yeah. I’m pretty confident,” said Berube in Thursday’s media availability, ahead of the club’s evening matchup with the San Jose Sharks.

Pacioretty has not appeared in game action since before the 4 Nations Face-Off break on February 8 against the Vancouver Canucks.

The 36-year-old was initially placed on injured reserve on February 28 after suffering an undisclosed injury before practice on February 19. Pacioretty was moved to long-term injured reserve on March 7, trade deadline day, for salary cap purposes.

The move required him to miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days before being eligible to return. Toronto has just $195,332 in salary cap space, while Pacioretty carries an $873,770 cap hit – allowing for additional flexibility by placing him on LTIR.

Despite his absence from games, the forward has been skating ahead of team practices either on separate ice pads or before the rest of the team takes the ice. However, with the salary cap only applying to the regular season, the Leafs are in no rush to activate him with the playoffs right around the corner.

Pacioretty hasn't appeared in a game with Toronto since before the 4 Nations Face-Off.

thehockeynews.comWhy The Maple Leafs Placed Max Pacioretty On Injured Reserve, Called Up Marshall Rifai From MarliesPacioretty hasn't appeared in a game with Toronto since before the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Given the circumstances, Pacioretty is not eligible to return until April anyway. With time progressing, he’s working back to full strength as he looks to add scoring and physicality to the bottom six.

In his first season in Toronto, he has been limited to 37 games due to injuries and has five goals, eight assists, and 13 points.

"I think it's more of he needs to get relief. It's not so much of an injury, I don't believe. It's just he's got some tightness and things like that," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said on February 22.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be getting one of their injured players back this weekend.

thehockeynews.comMaple Leafs' Max Pacioretty Out Of Lineup This Weekend, Connor Dewar Could Play Sunday Against BlackhawksThe Toronto Maple Leafs could be getting one of their injured players back this weekend.

Upon his return, he’ll add valued leadership to a team desperate for a lengthy playoff run. As it stands, all signs point towards Pacioretty being available when the postseason rolls around.

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