The Toronto Maple Leafs are reaching the end of their struggle with a division rival to sign Max Pacioretty in free agency.
Max Pacioretty, 35, has yet to sign a contract for the 2024-25 NHL season, following two years of serious injuries. With training camps beginning in the coming days, the player is anticipated to sign a deal shortly, and only two teams remain in the race, according to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.
Pacioretty is coming off a one-year, $2 million deal with the Washington Capitals. No reports have mentioned how much the player hopes to earn now, although a reasonable bet would be something with a similar AAV.
According to a recent report, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings are interested in signing the former Montreal Canadiens captain to a contract for the upcoming season.
The Maple Leafs’ financial condition isn’t ideal right now. They have only $1.275 million in available cap space. To sign Pacioretty, they would most likely need to make a trade or send one of their players to the AHL with the Marlies.
The Fourth Period argued that they could move Conor Timmins and his $1.1 million salary, or send him to the AHL, but they risk losing him for free on waivers.
However, with so many intriguing prospects in the Leafs organization, signing another player could prove to be a mistake. Not only would this leave them with little money to make deals before the trade deadline, but it may also prevent one of their valuable prospects, such as Alexander Nylander, Alex Steeves, Nikita Grebenkin, Easton Cowan, or Fraser Minten, from gaining NHL experience.
Pagnotta stated that the veteran isn’t interested in signing a professional tryout contract either.
His other option, the Detroit Red Wings, are likewise in a difficult situation. They now have $17.648 million available, but they must sign their best three young players (all restricted free agents): Lucas Raymond, Jonatan Berggren, and Moritz Seider before the start of next season. After all of these transactions are completed, Steve Yzerman’s organization should have little money left over to sign new players.
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