Eyes On Isles
Fansided

New York Islanders May Not Be a Fit for Max Pacioretty

By Christopher Lizza

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 10: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck in overtime against the Nashville Predators during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 10, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Nashville Predators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 10: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck in overtime against the Nashville Predators during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 10, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Nashville Predators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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How is it possible that the New York Islanders are not a good fit for Max Pacioretty? There are a couple of major factors why this is the case.

It would seem that the New York Islanders should be a serious bidder for Max Pacioretty. They just lost John Tavares to free agency and have a hole in their top-six.

Pacioretty also provides leadership and experience as he is the current captain of the Montreal Canadiens.

So why isn’t Pacioretty a fit for the blue and orange?

Age

Pacioretty is coming off a rough season (17 Goals, 37 Points, -16). To be fair much like the Isles season last year, it was a wash-out for Montreal as well. That clearly had an effect on Pacioretty.

However, when a player in any sport has a down-year near the age of 30 (Pacioretty turns 30 in November), the question arises is are his best days behind him? No one is saying Pacioretty is done but how many top years does he have left?

Contract

Then comes the contract. The New Canaan, Connecticut native, is signed for one more season with a cap hit of $4.5 million. Then he becomes an unrestricted free agent, next July 1st.

Any team trading for Pacioretty surely has plans to sign him to an extension this summer. That will be a costly proposition. Keep in mind Pacioretty has 158 goals over the last five seasons, ranking him tenth in the NHL.

Figure a six-seven year deal with an annual value between $6 – $7 million.

Trade Cost

If an NHL GM signs off on Pacioretty’s age, predicted future production, as well as a new contract, he still has to trade for him.

Even with just one more year left before becoming a free agent, Pacioretty still has solid trade value, plus a number of trade suitors.

A reasonable trade cost for Pacioretty is still going to cost. Figure it would take a package, along the lines of Devon Toews, Josh Ho-Sang, and a second or third-round pick to bring Patches to Long Island.

Next: Isles Soderstrom Opportunity This Season

Yes, it would be great if Pacioretty was part of the Islanders over the course of the next three-four seasons. However, considering the trade cost as well as the term of a new contract, the Isles should pass.

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