The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Max Pacioretty is officially joining the Toronto Maple Leafs for training camp on a professional tryout. The Maple Leafs announced that the 35-year-old would join the team on a PTO on Wednesday morning, ahead of the organization's first day of rookie camp which is set to begin in Toronto before they head to Montreal for two games this weekend. Pacioretty is coming off a one-year, $4 million contract he signed with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2023. The forward played 47 games last season, scoring four goals and 19 assists in that span. Over the last two years, Pacioretty has only played 52 games — split between the Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes — due to an Achilles injury he suffered twice. According to the forward's agent, Allan Walsh, the expectation is that Pacioretty will sign a contract with the Maple Leafs following the completion of training camp next month. Pacioretty is entering his 17th NHL season after playing 902 games, split between the Montreal Canadiens (who drafted him 22nd overall in the 2007 NHL Draft), Vegas Golden Knights, Hurricanes, and Capitals. He's entering Toronto's training camp with a strong chance of getting minutes on the left wing. The Maple Leafs haven't added to their left-wing depth after losing Tyler Bertuzzi in free agency, however, they do have the likes of Matthew Knies, Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson (who just re-signed after asking for a trade earlier this summer), Pontus Holmberg, Connor Dewar, and potentially others in the mix. After re-signing Robertson on Tuesday to a one-year, $875,000 contract, the Maple Leafs have $400,333 in cap space, according to PuckPedia.com [https://puckpedia.com/team/toronto-maple-leafs]. Signing Pacioretty — and possibly Jani Hakanpaa [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-max-pacioretty-and-jani-hakanpaa-next-for-maple-leafs-to-add-to-roster-ahead-of-training-camp-following-singing-of-nick-robertson] — means Toronto needs to shed some cap space ahead of the season. Pacioretty has 330 goals and 338 assists for 668 points over his 902-game NHL career. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related ‘As Far As What He Can Expect, It’s Going To Be So Much Fun’: Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews on Macklin Celebrini Living with Joe Thornton, Playing Tennis with Steve Nash, and More From the Captain’s Stop at the NHL’s Player Media Tour [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/as-far-as-what-he-can-expect-its-going-to-be-so-much-fun-maple-leafs-auston-matthews-on-macklin-celebrini-living-with-joe-thornton-playing-tennis-with-steve-nash-and-more-from-the-captains-stop-at-the-nhls-player-media-tour] ‘This Might Have Been His Best Offseason Yet’: Why Trainer Trevor Williamson believes Prospect Easton Cowan is Ready for the Next Step with Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/this-might-have-been-his-best-offseason-yet-why-trainer-trevor-williamson-believes-prospect-easton-cowan-is-ready-for-the-next-step-with-maple-leafs] 'I Think (Mitch) Marner Gets A Lot of Flak': Avalanche Star Nathan MacKinnon Gave His Impression of Maple Leafs Star While Training With Him This Offseason [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-think-mitch-marner-gets-a-lot-of-flak-avalanche-star-nathan-mackinnon-gave-his-impression-of-maple-leafs-star-while-training-with-him-this-offseason] News from THN.com Eight More NHL Goalies with New Creative Masks Ahead of the 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-more-nhl-goalies-with-new-creative-masks-ahead-of-the-2024-25-season] 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother] Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga]
