George McPhee continues to add top-end talent to the Golden Knights roster. They acquire LW Max Pacioretty from the Canadiens. In exchange, they give up Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki and a 2nd round draft pick.
Pacioretty, 29, was the captain for the Canadiens and has put up some good numbers in his career to back that honor up. The former 1st round pick had a down year in 2017-18, but is only a year removed from a 67 point season in 2016-17. And there are reasons to think he can get back to being a 25-30 goal scorer again.
He will likely be on Vegas’ 2nd line with Stastny and Tuch, which makes that line very lethal. Stastny will able to do what he does on that line, which is setting others up, and now they have a true elite goal scorer to help out Tuch on that line as well. So just when a team thinks that they handled the top line and can breath a bit, they have to deal with another line of major offensive capability.
Going to the Canadiens is a big return, and rightfully so. Tomas Tatar is the NHL piece going, and he will essentially replace Pacioretty. Tatar struggled to fit in with the Knights after the trade last season, but looked a bit better in the playoffs. I guess it’s strange to see them give up on him so soon, but to get Pacioretty, it’s justified.
They also gave up one of their top prospects in forward Nick Suzuki. He was taken as one of their three first round picks in their first draft last year. He’s got a bright future ahead of him, but the Knights are rich in forwards at both the prospect and the NHL level. It’s a tough loss, but not one the Knights cannot handle.
The other piece is a 2nd round choice in 2019. The pick they are sending was originally one that belonged to the Blue Jackets, who gave it away to ensure the Knights took William Karlsson in the expansion draft instead of someone else. So that whole deal just continues to pay dividends for the Knights.
Now, this deal hinges on two things. One, can Pacioretty bounce back to at least close to prime form. And two, will he sign an extension. Only time will tell on both those things, but if both do happen then this is a solid deal for the Knights.
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