<p>The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed veteran winger Max Pacioretty to a professional tryout agreement, with the opportunity to earn a contract at the end of training camp.</p>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On Max Pacioretty: While <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Leafs</a> work through some salary cap issues, there is an expectation from both sides that Pacioretty will be a Maple Leaf this season.</p>— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) <a href="https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1833547104783897039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<p>While Pacioretty has proven that he can still be a good player in this league and can bring experience to a Maple Leafs team that is trying to find a way to get over the hump, the biggest hurdle seems to be what Pacioretty will cost if he signs in Toronto. In his one-year deal that he signed with the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations">Washington Capitals</a> last July, the former Michigan Wolverine had a $2 million cap hit, with an AAV of $4 million thanks to $2 million in performance bonuses.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="142"></div>



<p><a href="https://capwages.com/teams/toronto_maple_leafs">According to CapWages</a>, the Leafs have 44 of a possible 50 contracts signed for this season, but have just a hair over $1.5 million in cap space.</p>



<p>Pacioretty has moved around the NHL over the last couple of seasons, but has had the injury bug follow him around during his time with the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations">Carolina Hurricanes</a>. A couple of severe injuries to his Achilles’ tendon led to him playing just five games with the Hurricanes during the 2022-23 season, and missed almost an entire year of game action before returning last season with the Capitals.</p>



<p>The New Canaan, Connecticut native ended up playing 47 games with the Capitals last season, and was a solid veteran presence on a team that just squeaked into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ultimately getting swept by the President’s Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the first round.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="140"></div>



<p>Pacioretty scored four goals and 19 assists during the regular season for Washington, registering an assist in the postseason.</p>



<p>In 16 NHL seasons, which saw him also play for the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights, Pacioretty has scored 330 goals and 668 points in 902 regular-season games. He has also appeared in 78 playoff games, mostly with the Habs and Golden Knights, amassing 50 points.</p>



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