Max Pacioretty's Role and Position on the Toronto Maple Leafs Revealed

PUBLICATION

Chris Gerics
November 3, 2024 (7:20 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Max Pacioretty has found new life alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, and he may find himself a fixture in the lineup for the rest of the season.

It's been a bit of a difficult season for Max Pacioretty. After looking solid in the preseason, he was benched for a couple of games as Craig Berube tried to tinker with the lineup. Recently though, he's found new life with John Tavares and William Nylander on the second line and looks to be a fixture in the lineup for the time being.

Pacioretty to the Max

Pacioretty's emergence has been a bright spot for the Maple Leafs, and it hasn't gone unnoticed, as many analysts and critics are second-guessing their doubts about Pacioretty coming into the season. Two analysts who have been impressed so far are Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne, commenting on Pacioretty's season so far and his spot in the lineup:

Justin Bourne: "Hate that if you're Nick Robertson. Just hearing that Pacioretty's creating room for a line that's having success. Like that's just something you can't provide.

Nick Kypreos: "Right now, like what choice does Craig Berube or the management team have but to keep those guys together and you ride it as long as you can. They'll decide whether you need to go with someone else, or eventually have to trade for someone, but right now there's no rush and they're not putting themselves in a position to have anybody question their contributions as a legit second line."

Perhaps Pacioretty also has a little bit of a financial incentive, as he's already played eight of his ten games in order to trigger his bonus, and already eclipsed his total games played when he was in Carolina.

JB: "He's certainly going to get that ten game bonus, he's already at eight, see if he stays healthy, they keep on rolling, he'll be on his way to collecting both of his bonuses."

NK: "It's not like over the course of Pacioretty's career we've heard coaches say real physical player consistently, He's a big guy, he carries weight, he hits, he hits hard."

It's a huge positive to see Pacioretty not only healthy but contributing to the Maple Leafs. He's the extra veteran presence they needed alongside Tavares, and there is a certain aura around him when he's on the ice. It's clear he's earned the respect of Craig Berube, and the trust to run with the current lineup for now until they give him a reason otherwise.

For a 30-goal-scorer, it's great to see him finishing big hits and not shying away from physicality:

This Spells The End For Nick Robertson

A lot of noise was made this offseason around Nick Robertson who, after holding out for a trade after feeling disrespected, signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs. Then, he decided to go wild and scored five preseason goals and gave Toronto and their fans hope that not only had he broken out, but that they had their next deadly weapon.

So far it's been everything but for Robertson. Scoring only one goal through the first 12 games and also being a healthy scratch a few times, it's been a very rough ride for Robertson. It looked like he earned his spot back however that was quickly taken away by the next game and whatever Robertson is working on is hopefully fixed by the time he's in the lineup; if that happens.

Craig Berube is not shy about sticking with players he likes whether they make a difference or not; case in point Pontus Holmberg and Ryan Reaves. Both men have earned their spot over Robertson, and since Robertson has yet to impress his head coach, there's very limited time to turn it around. Plus, when Calle Jarnkrok and Connor Dewar return, there's even less room for error.

If Nick Robertson doesn't figure it out, it's going to be a very quiet and miserable season for him. Given so many chances to do something and repeatedly failing means the onus is on Robertson to pick it up, or he's going to find himself in a new jersey very soon.