NHL Rumors: Another Atlantic Division Team Linked To Max Pacioretty

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 ,
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty reacts during 2025 game.

Veteran winger Max Pacioretty is still on the open market, and his next destination might come down to just two teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Detroit Red Wings. 

At 36 years old, Pacioretty is no longer the elite scorer he once was, but he’s still capable of contributing in a depth role, especially for a team looking for physical play and leadership. He’s expressed a desire to be closer to family, and with his home base in Michigan, a deal with Detroit could make perfect sense.

Where Pacioretty Fits in Detroit

The Red Wings have over $12 million in cap space and could easily offer Pacioretty a one-year deal with bonuses. If he stays healthy, he could slot into a third-line role with Andrew Copp and James van Riemsdyk, forming a responsible, veteran-heavy unit. 

Alternatively, coach Todd McLellan could experiment with Pacioretty on the second line next to Patrick Kane. That flexibility, paired with the familiarity of home, gives Detroit a real shot at landing him.

Why Toronto Still Makes Sense

Still, Toronto offers something Detroit can’t: a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Pacioretty knows the organization, performed well in last year’s playoffs (eight points in 11 games), and could realistically compete for a top-six role depending on how training camp shakes out. 

He’d be in the mix with the likes of Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and Matias Maccelli. If winning is Pacioretty’s top priority, re-signing with the Leafs may be the best option.

For now, it looks like a two-horse race between Toronto and Detroit. And while health is a concern, a league-minimum deal for a motivated, playoff-proven winger like Pacioretty could be a low-risk, high-reward gamble for either team.

Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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