Plenty of Boos for Former Habs On Opening Night

It’s tradition in the NHL to get out the boo-birds for former players whenever they play back home, and two Toronto Maple Leafs definitely had their ears burning during their first game of the 2024-25 season.

It was a little surprising that these two got such a negative reception as it has been a few years since either player has played in the Bleu-Blanc-et-Rouge. One was a former long-time captain, and one had a fantastic offensive season who couldn’t repeat ever again.

Of course, we are talking about Max Domi and Max Pacioretty. Both Maxs. Odd coincidence.

Max Domi is a little bit more familiar in the blue and white of the Maple Leafs, having somewhat rejuvenated his career with Toronto last year, finishing with his second highest season point total.

Of course, his best year was his first with the Montreal Canadiens. He started his career with the Arizona Coyotes, and never fully clicked, being traded to the Habs for similarily struggling high draft pick Alex Galchenyuk.

Domi made the move look like a steal for the Canadiens, scoring 28 goals and 72 points, being the first Canadien to threaten a point-per-game season in a long time.

Domi was electric that year, but couldn’t keep it up the next year, and fell down the depth chart, and was promptly moved in the off-season for Josh Anderson.

That was 2020, and since then Domi has returned in the jerseys of the Hurricanes, Stars and Blackhawks as well as the Leafs.

The other was the former captain, and face during one of the most tumultuous times in Canadiens history, Max Pacioretty.

For years, Pacioretty was Montreal’s top offensive threat and he could be relied upon to score 30 goals every season. But during the time of his personalities like P.K. Subban, Carey Price and Michel Therrien, there was tonnes of dysfunction.

Pacioretty was voted Captain by the team, but never seemed very comfortable in front of the press, and just seemed like someone who wanted to put his head down and play hockey.

He was a fantastic offensive threat at this time, but never had enough help to carry the team to long-term success. And he was eventually traded to the Vegas Golden Knights for a package that included current captain Nick Suzuki.

Pacioretty spent a few years in Vegas, but was last in a Washington Capitals jersey, and signed with Toronto right near the end of the off-season and made his debut in the first game of the season.

While the fans calmed a little as the game went on, the first period was filled with boos for Domi and Pacioretty. It must just be seeing former beloved players in such an ugly sweater gets under peoples skin.