Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Unrestricted free agent Max Pacioretty remains unsigned to date, but says he’s narrowed his wish list to just two teams – Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers, according to NHL Trade Rumours.
Of course, though Detroit is close to where Max Pacioretty calls home, the Edmonton Oilers give him the best chance of winning a Stanley Cup, which is what the former Habs’ Captain really wants.
Max Pacioretty provides key characteristics to playoff-bound team
Last year with the Maple Leafs, Max was instrumental in the team’s playoff run. Though he only played in 37 regular season games, he recorded 8 points in 11 playoff games with Toronto.
NHL Trade Rumours now reports that the decision is down to just the Red Wings and Oilers. The edge obviously goes to Edmonton with the best chance to win there. Pacioretty will sign a professional tryout agreement with either the Detroit Red Wings, which is nice and close to home and his family, or he’ll head out west and sign with the Edmonton Oilers, and once again cause the Cup.
– NHL Trade Rumours
Yet, points were only a part of what he contributed. Adapting from his skill game, Max laid-out monster hits to get his team jumping again, and was a constant presence in front of Florida’s net, often neutralizing Bennett’s and Tkachuk’s physicality.
The 6’2″, 217-pound winger has played 17 years in the NHL, and has recorded 6, 30-goal plus seasons, and 8, 20-goal plus. Though this is no longer his main asset, Max can score timely goals when needed, as he demonstrated with the Leafs last year.
In the absence of Corey Perry, Pacioretty can provide what the former-Oiler did last year, when he too was a contributing factor to Edmonton’s playoff success.
Since being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes from Vegas in July, 2022, Max has moved around on 1-year deals, his last being with Toronto at a cap hit of $873,770.
Given the Oilers’ cap restraints for the 2025-26 season, having a contributor in the line-up for such a low cap hit can only bring value; Max can be accommodated quite easily into the roster.
In addition to what he does on the ice, Max brings a locker room presence that would benefit the Oilers, in particular with the addition of so many young players, who can’t have enough vets around to show them how to be a professional in the league.
Previously on Oilers Daily
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Top unsigned UFA considers signing with Oilers – ‘Best chance of winning a Stanley Cup’
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