Update - Pacioretty has signed a four-year extension with the Golden Knights for $28 Million ($7 Million), which makes it more of a hockey deal than a good return on a rental.
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It was clear from the recent trade chatter regarding Max Pacioretty that the Montreal Canadiens did not want to go to camp having not traded their team captain.
Early Monday morning, the Habs shipped Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights for forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a second round pick. The deal gives the Habs a Pacioretty replacement in Tatar, who scored consistently for Detroit before being moved to the Golden Knights before the deadline, plus an excellent prospect in Suzuki, but the deal is an upgrade for Vegas, who needed to replace the departed James Neal.
Talking to a source this morning who said the following:
“Montreal made a hell of a deal here. They get three good-great assets for a player who won’t commit beyond this year.…
Another source added:
“George (McPhee) is gambling here that the excitement and glamour of Vegas will win Max over. And if it is like last year, it very well might, but they could also fall back to earth...…
Another source was tougher:
“This reminds me of the Jagr trade he made in Washington...and a little of the Filip Forsberg debacle...but those were teams who were known to be very close to winning it all...…
I am not sure that's entirely fair. Tatar and Suzuki are for sure more than I expected the Habs to get for a rental, but they are also expendable in Vegas because of the great deals McPhee made in gathering so very many assets. Suzuki was a first round pick, but was one of three first round picks Mcphee gathered in a very shrewd off season last year. So he can essentially be extravagant and get Pacioretty as almost a “luxury item.…
This move was made with the thinking that “if we go to the Cup Final again we will have more than just one line to stop.…
Some will say that is premature but if you have extra assets, why not play to win?
Who do you think got the better end of this trade?
Check out Sheng Peng's column from this morning on the deal and watch the Buzzcast at 3pm for more analysis...
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