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Montreal Canadiens: The curious case of Max Pacioretty’s trade status

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 24: Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) skates away with the puck during the Tampa Bay Lightning versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 24, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 24: Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) skates away with the puck during the Tampa Bay Lightning versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 24, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Next Step

Well, there may not be a ‘next step’ for a while. Teams’ focus has probably transitioned over to free agency. They’ll have their list of players who could possibly fit within their organization and cross-reference that with their salary cap situation.

Additionally, McKenzie’s tweet after the San Jose noise has calmed things down a bit.

That could very well change. The P.K. Subban for Shea Weber trade took place on June 29th, two days shy of Free Agency Frenzy. That was also the same day the Edmonton Oilers traded Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils. Moves can still take place.

But Pacioretty returning wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. In fact, it will work in favour of the Montreal Canadiens. Although the team looks to be focused on youth and speed, making the playoffs is most likely the goal. Having Pacioretty on the team helps you reach that mark.

His 17-goal performance is a clear outlier in a career filled to the brim with 30-goal seasons. The Habs will be a stronger team once Pacioretty gets back to that. It also re-opens the trade window if Bergevin is still set on moving him. It’s easy to sell prospective trade partners on him bouncing back, but seeing it would provide a true sense of reassurance.

Next: Should the Habs Trade Pacioretty?

It’ll be interesting to see how this story arc plays out for Pacioretty and the Montreal Canadiens. The flames of all these trade scenarios may be cooled for now, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them pick up at some point.

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