Early this morning the Montreal Canadiens have finally found a package they can live with, and have traded captain Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights. Montreal will receive forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second-round pick in exchange for the veteran winger. The Canadiens will retain 10% of Pacioretty’s remaining contract, while Vegas will be retaining 9.434% of Tatar’s—equaling exactly $500K for the former Golden Knights winger.
Pacioretty, rumored to be available for months, is expected to sign a long-term extension with the Golden Knights at some point given that Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin told reporters including Eric Engels of Sportsnet that the deal was contingent on a contract being signed with the new team. The Montreal GM also confirmed that there was a trade request from Pacioretty last season, something that had been debated in the media over the last few weeks. The now former captain will be heading west where he’ll try to bounce back from a disappointing 2017-18 campaign that saw him score just 17 goals.
The Golden Knights have been looking for added scoring since the loss of James Neal and David Perron in free agency, and many expected Tatar to step into an increased role. Vegas had traded a first, second and third round pick to the Detroit Red Wings at the deadline last season in order to acquire the 27-year old Tatar, but he didn’t find an immediate fit in the expansion roster and ended up sitting as a healthy scratch at times in the playoffs. The investment clearly didn’t pay off, given that Tatar has been shipped out of town after just 28 games as a Golden Knight.
Along with the former Red Wings forward, Montreal gets one of the best prospects in hockey in Suzuki. Selected 13th overall in 2017, Suzuki returned to the OHL and recorded 100 points in 64 games for the Owen Sound Attack. Though he’s likely not headed for the NHL this season, he could very well lead the OHL in scoring and then make the jump in 2019-20. A versatile forward, Suzuki is praised for both his natural goal scoring ability and offensive instincts and should help to replace the talent heading west in Pacioretty. Though there are some who doubt his future lies at center, the Canadiens have at least added another potential option down the middle going forward.
After the public battle between Pacioretty’s representation and the team, a package of this quality will be a refreshing conclusion for many Montreal fans. It did not seem like there was much of a future in Montreal for the 29-year old winger, while Tatar at least will be in town for the remaining three seasons on his contract. That is if the Canadiens don’t decide to flip him again, given that package that he brought to Detroit just a few months ago.
I don’t like it
I’d prefer to ride with Suzuki, see how he develops. Seems like they’re going away from their plan because of the results of last year
So essentially Vegas trades 1st 2 2nds a 3rd and Suzuki for pacioretty. Seems like Vegas might have gotten fleeced if Tatar bounces back. But could end up being a good trade for Vegas if Tatar can’t turn it around and just ends up being a waste of 5 mill per the next 3 years
Or Vegas takes on Clarkson and gets Pacioretty.
Columbus essentially gave VGK a 2017 first (Suzuki pick) and a 2019 2nd to take on Clarkson and draft Karlsson. Well, now both those parts are heading to Mtl for Pacioretty.
Columbus basically gave them Karlsson and the keys to Pacioretty
They also had a playoff run with Tatar and the picks are going to be low in the rounds. A late first rounder isn’t really all that valuable and doesn’t usually turn into above average NHLers. It’s more of a lottery ticket pick.
They do have a ton invested in Pacioretty but they will no doubt re sign him. They have to now
Thanks Marc…..living up to the Village idiot moniker…..loser GM who trades his captain because he doesn’t like his personality. Who’s going to score goals sad sack? Bergevin the loser strikes again. You have now single handedly destroyed the Canadiens Marc……LOSER!!!
Not a bergevin fan in the least but this isn’t a bad trade for Montreal. Should they have made this so public, no but patches isn’t worth 6.5-7mill a year after scoring 37 points. They ended up getting nice looking centre prospect and a guy who scored more goals last year plus a 2nd
I agree with both. certainly tiger shouldn’t be mad about this trade. this is actually a good package for a player that the whole league knew they didn’t want back. that being said, tiger is right that bergevin is to blame for the Canadians situation and he should go.
Maybe, you should ask John Tortorella on who won this trade. On Team USA he had Pacioretty on the forth line. I wouldn’t be surprise if Tatar has more goals than Pacioretty next season. Only Desharnais and Danault were able to make Pacioretty score. The USA did have elite centers on the World Cup and the Olympics. It all comes down to if Stastny have good chemistry with Pacioretty but he was on those USA teams. This could be a trade that gets McPhee out of Vegas.
Think about it, he gave a first, a second and a third for Tatar, then flip Tatar, with an elite prospect and a second. It’s like getting Pacioretty for a first and 2 seconds, a third. I don’t think Vegas will repeat last year, I even doubt they’ll make the playoffs.
Pacioretty was done in Montreal after this season no matter what. So getting this package is a pretty nice deal for MTL. You can criticize them for the way they handled it but the actual trade is not bad for the situation
this is bang on. this is a much better package then Carolina got for Skinner especially considering it was well known they wanted Patches out before camp
As a Bruins fan, thanks for shipping Patches out! :)
So the deal is contingent on a long term deal being signed and it’s expected that will happen but what if Vegas and Pacioretty can’t come to an agreement. Would the deal be scrapped or is it done and Vegas has to hope everything works out?
The deal is complete, and has been filed with the league. No extension has been announced yet, but it can be assumed that some assurances were made between Pacioretty (or more likely agent Alan Walsh) and the Golden Knights before filing.
As a Bruins fan, I wonder what Boston’s offer was. Pacioretty would have looked great in black&gold.
Great deal for Vegas. Solid deal for the Habs.
Tatar was a bad fit for Vegas, so to be able to turn him into value is a big win for McPhee after overpaying for him in the first place.
As a leaf fan I have to give the Habs props! Suzuki is the real deal and I will bet Tatar will be close in offensive stats as pacioretty this yr, and a second is a great deal for the Habs! Vegas gets pacioretty at 7million for the next 4 yrs which isn’t terrible but I just can’t see him being worth it hope he proves me wrong