Would Max Pacioretty fit better on Maple Leafs or Red Wings?

One week into free agency, Max Pacioretty has yet to sign a contract. It appears if Pacioretty decides to come back for another season, he’ll either be returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, or signing close to home with the Detroit Red Wings. Now the question becomes, where would be the best fit?

Last season with the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty battled through injury troubles, which unfortunately has become quite the theme throughout the later stages of his career. The veteran winger appeared in just 37 regular season games, scoring five goals and 13 points. He bounced around the lineup between a checking role on the third line, to playing left wing on the Leafs’ second line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. Pacioretty turned it on come playoff time, recording eight points in 11 postseason games, and showed a ton of poise, physical play, and a throwback offensive touch which really helped the Leafs oust the Ottawa Senators and push the Cup champion Florida Panthers to seven games.

Looking ahead to next season, the second line left wing slot will be a wide open competition in Toronto. If Pacioretty re-signs, he’ll be battling it out with Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson, Max Domi, Easton Cowan, and newcomer Matias Maccelli. There’s also a chance Brad Treliving acquires another top-six forward before training camp, but either way, Pacioretty is going to have a legit shot at cracking top-six minutes on a team that’s top five in the league when it comes to Stanley Cup contenders.

The Maple Leafs are an organization Pacioretty now knows a lot about, he’s experienced how much the team does for their players and their families, and if he’s interested in winning a Stanley Cup before he retires, he’ll want to re-sign in Toronto, instead of making his way closer to home with the Red Wings.

Speaking of Detroit, Pacioretty’s been busy coaching his son’s minor hockey team, and as expected, family is extremely important to the veteran winger. Should the Red Wings have interest, which it does sound like they do, Pacioretty could choose to ink a one-year deal in Motown, and join a somewhat outcast roster that will be battling to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

General manager Steve Yzerman heard from captain Dylan Larkin after the team didn’t make any additions before last season’s trade deadline, as it was a huge let down in the dressing room that the team wasn’t going to push for the postseason. This offseason Yzerman hasn’t necessarily sat on his hands. He acquired John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks to give his team their best starting goalie in quite some time, and meanwhile up front, has just added around the edges, while also re-signing future hall-of-famer Patrick Kane.

The Red Wings sit with $12 million in cap space to work with, and could easily add Pacioretty on a league-minimum deal, or even a one-year, $1 million contract with some incentives. Pacioretty would be given a chance to battle for top-nine minutes in training camp, which if he can stay healthy, could turn into a regular spot on the team’s second line, much like he could see in Toronto. The only issue is the injury bug. Pacioretty hasn’t played more than 72 games in a season since 2017. He hasn’t hit 50 since 2020.

Regardless, there’s risk involved, but at a league minimum deal, it’s worth it. Pacioretty has shown an ability to reshape his game throughout the later stages of his career. He knows he can’t skate end-to-end anymore and blow by defencemen. He plays a much more physical brand of hockey, isn’t shy to get to the front of the net, and has shown year after year an ability to elevate his game once the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

Pacioretty remains a free agent, and keep an eye on it being a two-headed race between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings. He’ll continue to ponder his future in hockey, prioritizing being close to his family, and finding the best situation not only to finish off a decorated NHL career, but also doing so with the ones he loves close to the action.