Maple Leafs and Atlantic division rival interested in Max Pacioretty

The 35-year-old winger has drawn interest amongst many clubs even though he has suffered several injuries throughout the past few seasons. Last season, he only played 47 games for the Washington Capitals as his injury issues plagued him.

Coming off a one-year $2,000,000 contract, it's likely he will receive a one-year deal from the team that will sign him whether it's the Maple Leafs or someone else.

The Maple Leafs have expressed the desire to shore up their wing on the left side and a player like Pacioretty could be an answer for what they're looking for. They currently have $1.2 million in cap space as it appears they will not be signing Jani Hakanpaa to his deal as they have not registered his contract.

I particularly am not fond of signing Pacioretty due to the injury problems plus the disappearing acts that tend to happen with his play when it matters the most. As a fan, I feel the Maple Leafs would be better suited to re-signing former Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk.

JVR would give the team solid play on the third line even as he has diminished over the past several years. He could come in at $1 million like he was with the Boston Bruins last year and he put in 11 goals and almost 40 points which would bode well for secondary scoring which has been an issue for the Maple Leafs from the past two years.

It remains to be seen on what general manager Brad Treliving will do but signing Pacioretty in my opinion would be a mistake.

Source: The Fourth Period

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