Maple Leafs expected to sign Pacioretty

It's unclear whether he'll join the team for training camp on a professional tryout or immediately sign with the active roster. The Maple Leafs currently have $400,333 in cap space with a 22-player roster, per PuckPedia.

Pacioretty will turn 36 in November. He recorded four goals and 19 assists in 47 games with the Washington Capitals a season ago, averaging 14:26 per contest. His underlying numbers, specifically on defense, weren't good.

The 16-year NHL veteran was held to just five games in 2022-23 with the Carolina Hurricanes after tearing his Achilles twice in a five-month span. He previously spent four years with the Vegas Golden Knights and 10 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, wearing the "C" for three campaigns with the Habs.

Pacioretty was once one of the game's most prolific scorers, reaching the 30-goal mark five times with the Canadiens and once more with the Golden Knights. He tallied 19 goals in 39 games during his last season in Vegas in 2021-22.

While the Maple Leafs lack proven depth at left wing, the competition at the position projects to run deep. The current depth chart includes Matthew Knies, Bobby McMann, the recently re-signed Nick Robertson, Pontus Holmberg, Connor Dewar, and top prospect Easton Cowan. Steven Lorentz is also attending camp on a PTO.

Is this the right move by added an aged veteran, whom seems to have a problem staying on the ice due to injury after injury. While Pacioretty has proven to be a top level talent throughout his career, many feel that the risk doesn't out way the reward due to many health concerns.