Max Pacioretty's Latest Decision with Maple Leafs Gets Mixed Reviews from Fans

After signing a PTO with the Maple Leafs, Max Pacioretty has reportedly made the decision to stick with a number synonymous with failure in Toronto.

Pacioretty signed a professional tryout in Toronto in hopes of securing a contract and demonstrating that he can still contribute at the NHL level. After skating and working out for the organization in August, the team finally felt confident enough in his abilities that they offered him a PTO, potentially with a handshake deal already in place for a standard player contract at the conclusion of training camp.

Pacioretty has worn the number 67 throughout his career, and after the organization confirmed jersey numbers for each of the new acquisitions, Pacioretty's number was not announced -- until Tuesday. Some were hoping for a number swap to avoid a potential jinx of sorts. However, when camp opens up this week, #67 is the number Pacioretty will be sporting.

As reported by Nick Alberga on X:

The irony of this jersey number stems from the fact that the Maple Leafs have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967. While the number 67 is not commonly worn by many players, it has been Pacioretty's number since he entered the NHL, making this choice somewhat unsurprising.

Pacioretty is hopeful for a successful camp with the Maple Leafs after showing the hockey world that he can still perform at a high level, having recorded 23 points in 47 games for the Washington Capitals last season, despite missing significant time due to injury in recent years.

Although it might feel strange to see Pacioretty in a Maple Leafs uniform, as he was the former captain of Toronto's rival, the Montreal Canadiens, he would be an ideal scoring winger on a team that currently lacks scoring depth.

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