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On the Max Pacioretty trade and Anthony Peluso

September 10, 2018, 1:48 PM ET [30 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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The Pacific just got a little tougher

In an effort to boost their playoff chances, and help avoid taking a step back, the Vegas Golden Knights pulled off a significant trade Sunday night.

They shipped out winger Tomas Tatar, whom they gave up a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for at the deadline, top prospect Nick Suzuki, and a 2nd in exchange for Max Pacioretty.

Even with a likely extension, I think that was a lot to give up for a soon-to-be 30-year-old who is entering the back-9 of his career. With that said, there's no doubt he is an upgrade over Tomas Tatar right now.



Despite a disappointing 2017-18 campaign, in which Pacioretty had to deal with injuries, a poor supporting cast, off-ice distractions, and horrible shooting luck, his individual numbers are still better than Tatar's over the last couple seasons. He is a better play driver, too, and should fit nicely on either of Vegas' top lines alongside either William Karlsson or Paul Stastny.

I previously looked at Vegas as a fringe playoff team, which they still *might* be, but this move helps their chances of being a top-3 team in the Pacific once again. That's really important because I expect five Central teams to get in.

No more fighters, please

Though the Calgary Flames made adding depth and talent up front a clear priority this summer, it looks like they might still have eyes on rostering a designated tough guy.

The Flames are taking 26 players to China. Besides Nick Schneider, who will serve as the 3rd goaltender, all of the players are either locks to make the roster or will be given a legitimate chance to compete for a spot. That Anthony Peluso is featured in that group is a little concerning.

Then there is this.



The 29-year-old has appeared in 144 NHL games and has just 14 points to show for it. That equates to eight points(!) per 82 games. For perspective, Tanner Glass has averaged 11 points per 82 games throughout his career.

Peluso might be a great guy, and he's a far better player than any of us will ever be, but playing him would cause more harm than good.

For years the Flames have rostered, and played, physical players who don't bring much else to the table (Lance Bouma, Chris Stewart and Glass come to mind) despite plenty of evidence to suggest they shouldn't. Let's hope they don't do the same with Peluso.

Note: numbers via Corsica.Hockey.

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