KANATA, Ont. — Max Pacioretty was visibly dejected when he spoke with reporters ahead of Game 1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-round series against the Ottawa Senators.

He said the right things, maintaining that he wanted to be professional about the situation. But the 36-year-old was clearly disappointed he wouldn't be in the Game 1 lineup.

The veteran forward signed a one-year deal with the Leafs in the fall. Pacioretty, who has suffered a pair of Achilles injuries in recent years, signed a contract based on games played that could reach up to $1.5 million.  

Max Pacioretty Highlights First Maple Leafs Lineup Change Of 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Seventy-five days after playing what was his final game of the regular season, Max Pacioretty draws into the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup for Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators.

He spent time on long-term injured reserve twice this season with undisclosed injuries and was limited to just 37 games. In February, he appeared to tweak something during a practice as the team returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. As he worked his way back to health, it became evident that Pacioretty wouldn't play in any regular-season games.  

When asked to discuss his journey back to playing and the health aspect, Pacioretty declined to elaborate.

"Um....Yeah, I'd rather not talk about that," he said politely.  

'Just Be A Professional': How Max Pacioretty Is Dealing With Not Being In Game 1 Maple Leafs' Lineup As Of Right Now When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed veteran forward Max Pacioretty to a one-year contract, there was a belief that the player's playoff experience would be relied upon around this time of year.

Over the last few weeks, the veteran forward had been skating hard, showing little to no signs of injury. Speculation ran rampant that the player would be activated for Game 1, but the Leafs elected to use the same roster they had at the end of the regular season.  

When the Leafs added Pacioretty, his playoff experience was seen as his biggest asset. With 25 goals and 25 assists in 78 career postseason games, it seemed like it was a matter of when, and not if, Pacioretty would get into the lineup.  

Why the Maple Leafs Are Bringing in Max Pacioretty For a Professional Tryout Pacioretty is entering Maple Leafs training camp with a strong chance that he will begin the season on Toronto's left wing.

Despite the Maple Leafs being up 2-0 in their best-of-seven series against the Senators, Pacioretty will be inserted into the lineup when the 'Battle of Ontario' shifts to Ottawa.  

"This is why I'm here," Pacioretty said. "Now I've got to pitch in and help the team win."

Why did the Leafs make the change?

Maple Leaf head coach Craig Berube is not using the old adage of if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Pacioretty Overcoming Adversity With Maple Leafs Has Fans Cheering Him On This Year Veteran winger Max Pacioretty earned a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs this year, and Adam Proteau says the urgency in Pacioretty's game makes him easy to cheer on.

"A veteran guy coming into a game here, it's going to be, you know, it's going to be tough here," Berube reasoned. "The crowd just wanted to make that change to get a veteran guy in there. Bigger guy. Heavier."

Nick Robertson comes out of the lineup to make room for Pacioretty. Robertson has recorded one assist through the two playoff games,

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