The league is waiting to see what the Montreal Canadiens do with Max Pacioretty, and the rumours with the Chicago Blackhawks may tie it all together.
It’s almost August, and Max Pacioretty is still a member of the Montreal Canadiens. Whether that changes or not is dependent on whether Marc Bergevin gets what he wants in a trade for the goal-scorer.
That in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this stretch out until the deadline when teams who have aspirations for deep playoff runs are more likely to pay the price. Pacioretty would also be given a chance to right the wrongs of his 2017-18 season performance. But there may be something going on with the Habs and the Chicago Blackhawks.
John Jaeckel who covers the team for via the-rink.com tweeted on Tuesday that the Blackhawks have been having discussions with the Montreal Canadiens.
Heard Hawks in talks with Montreal in last 24 hours. No names mentioned yet.
— The Amazing Rando (@jaeckel) July 24, 2018
In most cases, this could easily be disregarded, but it does coincide with what David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tweeted two weeks ago.
Told the Blackhawks have been in talks with Montreal about Pacioretty and Carolina about Skinner. Chicago has approx $8.5M in cap space after today's trade. Possible these talks pick up steam now.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 12, 2018
Chicago freed up a decent amount of cap space after moving Marian Hossa to the Arizona Coyotoes. Additionally, they’ll be in the hunt to get back into playoff contention after failing to make the postseason for the first time in ten years. Going back to Jaeckel, he tweeted this out yesterday.
. . . also hearing today, Hawk brass having a hard time agreeing among eachother on deals/moves. Holding things up. All for now.
— The Amazing Rando (@jaeckel) July 25, 2018
Perhaps this is where the two sources come together. Maybe the deals the Chicago front office are mulling over are falling between Pacioretty and Jeff Skinner. What the Blackhawks are willing to give up could play a role in the conflict as well. It was no secret that the Montreal Canadiens were hoping to select Nicolas Beaudin from the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Chicago got to him first at 27th overall which threw a wrench in Montreal’s plans who hoped to pick him up with one of their early second-round picks. David St. Louis of Habs Eyes on the Prize looked into this a bit more, but Bergevin could try to swing the young defender in a package that included Pacioretty.
The fit makes sense on both ends of the spectrum. Pacioretty slides right in on Chicago’s top line while his cap hit doesn’t bring their ceiling right to the edge. Only time will tell how or if any of this plays out.