Max Pacioretty Reveals Which Maple Leafs Star He Tells His Kids to Emulate on the Ice

Days before he signed his one-year deal with the Maple Leafs, Max Pacioretty had referred to this year's training campas the thoughest one he has been to in his NHL career. Despite the challenge, Pacioretty looked rather impressive as he continued to rediscover his strong skating stride following a pair of Achilles injuries.

After playing in the Leafs' first three games of the season, Pacioretty was a healthy scratch for the Leafs' 6-2 victory over the LA Kings on Wednesday.

"Patches" recently spoke to the media and revealed that William Nylander's skillset has probably impressed him the most, specifically his skating and puck protection. Pacioretty has been so impressed with Nylander's abilities that he told the media he has been sending clips of the two-time 40-goal scorer to his kids and telling them to practice what Willy does instead of what Pacioretty himself does.

The first-round pick from the 2007 draft has been in the league for a long time, and has seen some of the best, even some generational players, over his lengthy career, so for him to single out Nylander for his skating and puck protection the way he has is a huge compliment and a show of respect.

While Pacioretty works his way back into the lineup, Nylander will look to build off of another two-point night when the Leafs host the New York Rangers on Saturday.