The Toronto Maple Leafs are nearing the conclusion of their effort to sign Max Pacioretty, who remains available in free agency.
At 35, Pacioretty has not yet secured a contract for the 2024-25 NHL season due to two years plagued by significant injuries. As training camps approach, it is expected that he will sign soon. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, only two teams are actively pursuing him.
Pacioretty’s most recent contract was a one-year, $2 million deal with the Washington Capitals. While specific salary expectations for his next deal are not clear, it’s likely he will seek a similar average annual value.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings are reported to be the main contenders for Pacioretty’s services for the upcoming season. The Maple Leafs currently face financial constraints, with only $1.275 million in cap space. To accommodate Pacioretty’s potential salary, they would likely need to make a trade or assign a player to the AHL, such as Conor Timmins, whose $1.1 million salary might be considered for such a move. However, sending Timmins to the AHL could risk losing him on waivers.
Additionally, with a roster full of promising prospects, the Leafs face the risk of signing Pacioretty impacting their ability to evaluate younger talent like Alexander Nylander, Alex Steeves, Nikita Grebenkin, Easton Cowan, or Fraser Minten. This could also limit their flexibility for moves before the trade deadline.
Pagnotta also noted that Pacioretty is not interested in signing a professional tryout contract.
The Red Wings, with $17.648 million in available cap space, are also in a tough spot. They need to sign their top three restricted free agents—Lucas Raymond, Jonatan Berggren, and Moritz Seider—before the season starts. After addressing these contracts, they may have limited funds left for additional signings.
