Former Canadiens captain was in Montreal Wednesday as a member of the Maple Leafs as the old rivals prepared to face off at the Bell Centre.
“Being the captain meant everything to me … and I spent 10 of the best years of my life here,” the Leafs left-winger said Wednesday morning at the Bell Centre, prior to meeting his former team in the regular-season opening game. “Whether it’s being American, Canadian, French-Canadian, it’s always an honour.”
Entering his 16th NHL season, Pacioretty has endured his share of injuries over the years, including crippling Achilles tendon woes. He was limited to five games in 2022-23 with Carolina, but managed to play 47 last season with Washington.
Without a contract, he was signed to a professional tryout deal with Toronto on Sept. 11, produced three goals and five points in his first two exhibition games, and signed a one-year contract last weekend with the team for the league-minimum US$873,770.
Pacioretty, 35, admits he has plenty to prove at this stage of his career. He has never won a Stanley Cup and the Leafs haven’t captured a title since 1967. Whatever his role will be, the veteran knows he’s joining a talented group that excels during the regular season only to repeatedly fall short in the playoffs — frequently in the opening round.
“I’m at the stage of my career where I’m just thankful to be here,” the 6-foot-2, 217-pounder said. “I take every day as a blessing. Obviously I had a lot to prove to myself and the team, whether it be before or during camp, that I’d be a good fit. Ultimately I think everyone decided that we think it’s going to be a good fit.
“Everyone knows we have a strong team here with some of the best players in the world. I’m grateful to be part of this game and be part of a team like this.”
New Leafs head coach Craig Berube said the organization wasn’t sure what to expect from Pacioretty, given his injury history. But Berube said Pacioretty improved as camp progressed.
“What we like about him is his ability to score goals obviously,” Berube said. “He’s a big, strong guy who can hang onto pucks in the offensive zone; a veteran player who’s responsible.”
Beginning in 2011, Pacioretty scored 30 or more goals in six of seven seasons with Montreal. In 902 career games, he has 330 goals and 668 points, adding 25 goals and 50 points in 78 playoff contests.
Pacioretty’s tenure in Montreal wasn’t without controversy, including speculation that he feuded with former general manager Marc Bergevin. It also was suggested Pacioretty had few allies in the dressing room and was frequently at odds with Subban.
“I can’t control everything that was ever said, or the ideas out there,” Pacioretty said. “Ninety-nine per cent of it was inaccurate. I have no hard feelings. Everyone has a job to do. I never took it personally.”
Pacioretty knows he’ll be called upon to fill different roles with the Leafs and might not play every game. As a veteran, he understands he might have to mentor younger players seeking advice. Pacioretty says he’s prepared to undertake whatever’s asked.
“I’m not just here to score goals or do some of the things I’ve done in the past,” he said. “I’m at a different stage in my career.”
Meanwhile, Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll experienced some lower-body tightness on Tuesday, according to Berube. Toronto will start Anthony Stolarz against the Canadiens. Dennis Hildeby was recalled from the team’s AHL affiliate to back up the 6-foot-6, 243-pound Stolarz, who has played for Philadelphia, Edmonton, Anaheim and Florida. In 27 games with the Panthers last season, he went 24-16-7 with a 2.03 average, .925 save percentage and two shutouts.