NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on the September 13 episode of the '32 Thoughts Podcast' that Max Pacioretty’s professional tryout (PTO) with the Toronto Maple Leafs was kept secret for some time. Friedman also shared that he ran into Pacioretty while attending a P!NK concert at Rogers Center with his family.
"That one's funny about this." Friedman said, "I took my wife and son to see pink this summer at the Rogers Center, and we walked into Pacioretty on the street, and I just, I said hi to him, I said, I said, What are you doing here? And he kind of gave me like, a, oh, I'm here visiting some friends." [23:50]
Friedman later realized Max Pacioretty was actually working out with the Maple Leafs. Since this Wednesday, Pacioretty has finally signed a PTO with the Leafs.
"And I really didn't think much of it, because I was with my family, you know, I that one just smacked me right in the face. And I totally missed it, like, totally missed it that they obviously, he was here skating and working out for the leaves at that time." Friedman added.
Elliotte Friedman also mentioned that Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving and Coach Craig Berube want to make training camp more competitive. And they are not averse to trying out new things.
Brad Treliving's perspective on Max Pacioretty's PTO
Max Pacioretty is currently 35 years old and is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. The forward scored 23 points in 47 games with the Washington Capitals last season.
Talking about Pacioretty, Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving said the PTO adds depth to the team and will make camp more competitive.
"Our expectation is he's going to come in, he gives us more depth,” Treliving said per NHL.com, “All that stuff's going to sort itself out at camp, right? ... to me, what we're trying to do is make our roster as deep as possible.
He also noted that the coaching staff will decide how Pacioretty and others fit into the roster.
“I think there's going to be lots of people pushing for jobs. Where everybody fits and who they fit with, Craig (Berube) and the coaching staff will figure it out... But we're excited to see Max, get him up to speed."
Along with Max Pacioretty, the Leafs signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa to a one-year, $1.47 million contract. They also signed forward Steven Lorentz to a PTO earlier this month.