After we profiled five players who are candidates for a professional try out (PTO) with a team in upcoming training camps, it seems as though one is set to be handed out to a former NHLer who has been playing in Europe.
Maxim Lapierre, a veteran of 614 NHL games who split last season in Sweden and Switzerland, will receive a PTO with the New York Rangers, according to Nicola Berger of the NZZ (New Zurich Times). In a piece by TVA Sports back in May, Lapierre was quoted as saying that he was ready to head back to the NHL, be it on a PTO or two-way deal.
While nothing will be confirmed until closer to camp, Lapierre would represent the perfect candidate for the PTO system. After scoring 15 goals and 28 points for Montreal in 2008-09, Lapierre was never able to duplicate that success and found himself bouncing around fourth-lines across the NHL.
Now 31, Lapierre will try and crack an NHL roster once again, to provide leadership and grit to a young forward group. The Rangers will see if there is anything left in the former second-round pick, as it’s a no-risk, low-reward move for a team looking to head back to the playoffs.