It is time for a little NHL Trade Analysis as Max Pacioretty has been traded from Montreal to Vegas. The entire deal consists of forwards Tomas Tatar and Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 a second-round pick (via Columbus) heading to the Canadiens for Pacioretty. This serves the needs of both teams adequately. Let’s dig into the impacts.
What It Means For The Montreal Canadiens
Marc Bergevin realized he was not re-signing Max Pacioretty. Montreal painted themselves into a bit of a corner but did net a nice return. For those that do not know, Nick Suzuki is a blue-chip prospect who could potentially play in the NHL this season. He has center and wing versatility, with Montreal desperately needing centers. The 13th overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft possesses speed and a relentless engine. He takes no plays off and can create very well. Suzuki slots into a top line possibility in a few years time and could even steal top-six ice time this season.
Montreal again faces a situation where they have few shooters and were 29th in the league in scoring last year. They hope that Tomas Tatar can regain his early season form from 2017-18. Tatar netted 20 goals but just four for Vegas in 20 games. He became an afterthought in the playoffs just playing eight times (1 goal, 1 assist). His salary cap hit for the Canadiens is $4.8 million but his salary dips to $4.2 million by the 2020-21 campaign. Tatar potentially could be trade bait at the deadline.
Then, there is the second round pick from Columbus (2019). Bergevin allows himself to gain another pick in what shapes up to be a good draft with depth. Montreal finds itself in the running potentially for likely number one pick, Jack Hughes.
Pacioretty playing somewhere else was a foregone conclusion. It was just a matter of when and where. Montreal handled this rather poorly but ultimately gain a nice result out of the deal.
Now, what impacts does this have for Vegas?
What It Means For The Vegas Golden Knights
Simply, freeing up salary cap space and gaining a 30+ goal scorer was a bonus. Pacioretty should bounce back given his new linemates and upgrade in team talent. Vegas possesses great flexibility and will have the first chance of extending the soon to be 30-year-old winger who carries a $4.5 million cap hit this year. Also, they now have a bit over $30 million in cap space (for 2019-20) to sign other players as well.
Shea Theodore needs to be signed, although Vegas may be trying to still go after Erik Karlsson. Vegas still has choices and now has insurance in case a few of their breakout players regress too heavily.
The winger plays on either the top or second line for Vegas at even strength. Also, Pacioretty can switch seamlessly between the first and second power play units. This adds an extra dimension for Vegas. James Neal will be missed but typically Pacioretty is a more consistent sniper, period.
The Golden Knights should extend Pacioretty. It’s plausible that they could go another route come 2019-20 but a goal scorer that shoots like him is in short supply. The Nate Schmidt 20 game suspension may force Vegas’s hand a bit so keep an eye on that situation as well.
Into The Week
Vegas possibly could do a little more as far as transactions while Montreal seem to be done for now. Rumors, as training camp begin, are likely to trend upwards in the coming days.