Report: Max Pacioretty Vetoed "Multiple" Trades

He was one of the top remaining trade targets heading down to the deadline at 3pm ET today. But Max Pacioretty used his full no-move clause to assert his complete and total control over where he might wind up. According to insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, he turned down "multiple" trade destinations. 

Sounds like Pacioretty turned down multiple playoff-bound teams via his no-move clause, wanted to stay close to family and finish what he started this season in Washington coming off the Achilles tears. #allcaps were more than happy with that. https://t.co/7TRaWTPjGo

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 8, 2024

Several playoff contenders tried to land the Washington Capitals' forward for the stretch run and the playoffs, but he chose to "finish what he started" and stay close to his family in Washington this season after coming off multiple Achilles tears. He returned to the lineup in January, about one year after the second of those devastating injuries while playing for the Carolina Hurricanes last season. 

In 26 games since returning, the six-time 30-goal scorer has picked it up of late,   with seven points in his last nine games, and 15 points overall. He'll become an unrestricted free agent once again after the season. 

The Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Panthers were all said to be interested in potentially acquiring Pacioretty today, but apparently he wasn't interested in any of the possible trade destinations presented to him. The Panthers were rumored to be his preferred landing spot, but perhaps they didn't make an offer the Caps were interested in. 

Pacioretty, 35, has 329 goals and 660 points in 881 NHL games in his 16-year career.

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports