Max Pacioretty Eyes Big Role With the Toronto Maple Leafs
When Max Pacioretty signed a PTO with the Maple Leafs, many people expressed their doubts over the 35-year-old goal scoring winger's health and ability.
After multiple Achilles injuries over the past several years and a previous season where he scored only four goals, how much does he really have to offer the Leafs?
The once excellent scorer is finally healthy again and is looking to prove all the doubters wrong. In an interview with David Alter of The Hockey News Pacioretty emphasized that he's ready to make a difference.
"Physically I really like where I'm at. What's cool about right now in this day and age is you have the measurements to show you that everything is strong, I'm where I was before in terms of strength and power and I'm looking to prove that on the ice," Pacioretty said.
The top forward spots are all covered, so it's likely he plays lower in the lineup, at least to start. The good news is that he hasn't looked out of place yet in camp and is hungry to contribute any way he can.
"I see myself competing every day to try and grab one of those roles and yeah it's no secret that they've had a lot of success with their top guys, but you know, I need to get over the hump and I'm looking to push everybody just as much as they're looking to push me," Pacioretty continued.
Pacioretty has already confirmed that he'll be wearing his typical #67 this season. It's a number with some historical significance to the Maple Leafs, but not something anyone is all too fond of. Of course, their last Stanley Cup win came way back in 1967.
It's hard to believe Pacioretty will be a quick skater at this stage of his career, but if he can move around well and finds some of the scoring touch he had before his injury issues, it'll be a huge win for the Leafs.
Pacioretty has scored 330 goals throughout his career. He didn't forget how to shoot overnight, so this signing may yield some strong results for the Maple Leafs if his health holds up.
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