The Red Wings could find much-needed depth scoring by adding veteran winger Max Pacioretty. While Detroit urgently needs another top-six forward, there’s nothing wrong with adding more depth scoring in the middle six.
Pacioretty spent last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After an injury-filled regular season, Pacioretty played well in the postseason. He scored just five goals in 37 regular-season games, but came back to add eight points in 11 postseason games.
The 36-year-old former Montreal Canadiens captain last played a full season in 2019-20 with the Vegas Golden Knights. That season, he scored 32 goals in 71 games. He had a solid 51 points in 48 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. Pacioretty followed that up with 37 points in 39 games during the 2021-22 season.
Since then, injuries have caught up to Pacioretty, crashing his production over the last two seasons. But assuming Pacioretty is healthy this upcoming season, he could provide solid depth scoring for the Red Wings in their middle six.
Pacioretty signed a PTO last summer with the Maple Leafs. After a solid camp, the team inked him to a one-year, $873K deal. He’s a UFA now and will be looking to land one more contract, as Pacioretty has not hinted at retiring.
Where Does Pacioretty Fit into Red Wings Lineup?
Honestly, Max Pacioretty is a depth forward at this point in his career. At best, he could play a role much the way Patrick Kane does at the moment.
That situation means that Pacioretty would be best suited on the Wings’ third line with Andrew Copp at center. Perhaps lining up Pacioretty with newly signed James van Riemsdyk could create a veteran third line capable of providing depth scoring while being defensively responsible.
Of course, the Red Wings wouldn’t be able to roll out such a line for 20 minutes a night. Seeing a Copp-Pacioretty-van Riemsdyk line play 12 to 14 minutes a night would be fantastic for a veteran third-line.
There’s another interesting wrinkle to adding Pacioretty. If coach Todd McLellan chooses to deploy Alex DeBrincat on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, Pacioretty could slide into the left side with Patrick Kane on the second line.
Again, the success of such a line would largely depend on Pacioretty being able to stay healthy. That’s a major if at this point, but one that could benefit the Red Wings moving forward.
Adding Pacioretty Would Be Stopgap Solution
Signing Max Pacioretty would be by no means a permanent solution. The Red Wings still need another top-six forward. At the moment, the only remaining UFA who could really fill that void is Nikolaj Ehlers.
Beyond Ehlers, the Red Wings may have to explore the trade market to see if a top-six forward could become available. For instance, a winger like Bryan Rust of the Pittsburgh Penguins could fill the void nicely. Rust has been rumored to be on the trade block all summer. So, Rust is one name worth watching,
But until a player like Rust becomes available, the Red Wings could fill a hole with Max Pacioretty.
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