Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced Thursday the signing of forward Max Pacioretty to a three-year contract (2008-09 to 2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Max Pacioretty is a young player with a lot of skills who has the potential to play in the NHL. We are very happy to have him under contract for years to come. We feel he is ready to make the jump to professional hockey, and we will make sure to provide him with all the resources which will benefit his long-term development as a player,’’ said Bob Gainey.
Pacioretty, a native of New Canaan, Connecticut, completed in 2007-08 his freshman season in the NCAA with the University of Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The 19-year-old ranked fourth in scoring with the Wolverines with 39 points in 37 games (15 goals, 24 assists), posting a plus-31 rating along with 59 penalty minutes.
Pacioretty (6’02’’, 199 lbs) finished second on the team in plus-minus (+31) and powerplay goals (9). He also scored three game-winning goals and registered 109 shots on goal. The left winger was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year, and was named to the College Hockey News All-Rookie team and the CCHA All-Rookie team. He finished fifth in U.S. college hockey among rookies in points (39) and points per game (1.05). He was also Recipient of the Mickey and Wally Grant Scholarship for Men’s Ice Hockey.
Habster:
I didn’t see this happening until next year so it’s a bit surprising to hear the Canadiens signed the big, talented left winger. Needless to say, Max Pacioretty was very impressive at this year’s development camp and was by far the best prospect at the camp but with that being said, I’m not sure he will be best served playing pro this season.
I don’t profess to know more about player development than great hockey minds like Bob Gainey and Trevor Timmins though I’m slightly concerned that a solid 19 year old prospect is being rushed into something he might not be totally prepared for.
It’s very obvious that Timmins feels Pacioretty is ready to make the next step in his hockey development and wouldn’t benefit any further playing at the NCAA level. He did have an excellent freshman year by scoring 39 points in 37 games (regular and playoff games) and displayed a solid two way game with a +31.
Timmins and his scouting staff have provided the Canadiens with great scouting and player development throughout his career with Montreal. He has proved his worth and knows what is best for these players so I hope my gut feeling as a knowledgeable hockey fan and keen observer is wrong.
My concern is Pacioretty will possibly become another Guillaume Latendresse who was rushed to the NHL without playing a single game at the AHL level where he really needed to develop his game.
Granted, Max Pacioretty isn’t the same player as Latendresse and will most likely start his professional hockey career with the Hamilton Bulldogs as he doesn’t have any restrictions where he can play next season. Pacioretty’s game/skill set is much more NHL compatible than Latendresse’s with his better skating and two way game.
On the flip side, if “Pac-man” does succeed at the pro level like the organization expects him to, he will provide the Habs with the scoring power forward they have sought for years. A big, skilled forward who will add more size and grit at the forward position…….. Gheez, maybe my fears are unfounded and I should just enjoy the “Pac-man” era!!!!
If Pacioretty had opted to play junior, he would be entering the AHL at this point. He is about the same age as Mathieu Carle and Pavel Valentenko were a year ago at this time. He is about half a year younger than Ben Maxwell and Ryan White, fellow rookies with the Bulldogs in the upcoming season, and just a couple months youger than Yannick Weber who is expected to sign a contract soon to turn pro.
I’m always in favor of college students staying there as long as possible, at least until they totally dominate their level of play. But I suppose if he doesn’t intend to complete his degree, it doesn’t make a lot of difference if he leaves now, next spring, or two years from now.
With all the hype surrounding Max, I think a lot of fans are going to feel a bit let down in his first year as a pro. He isn’t better than Maxwell or White at this point.
Rob,
You make some solid points about Max Pacioretty though he doesn’t have as much hockey development time as the other players you mentioned with the exception of Pavel Valentenko.
Pacioretty has basicly played one season in the USHL with Sioux City as well as one full year at a prep school which both can’t be compared to the CHL (though the USHL has greatly improved and is very comparable to the CHL).
His development greatly benefitted during his freshman year at Michigan where his game took off.
With all that being said, I just worry that he is being rushed with expectations being too high from the fans point of view.
I’m sure Trevor Timmins and the organization will be their usual patient shelves and not rush his progress…..I just hope if things go slowly, he will not lose his confidence.
P.S- I think Pacioretty has a better skill set than Ryan White but White definitely has the experience factor over Max. I also think Ben Maxwell has top two center written all over him if he can remain health for the entire season with the Bulldogs. It wouldn’t surprise me if he put up very solid first year stats…..needless to say, it will be a fun year being a Habs!!!
Pacioretty played 3 or 4 years of high school hockey in Connecticut prior to joining the USHL. He was part of the U.S. U17 and U18 select teams in his last two years of high school hockey.
Out of White, Maxwell, and Pacioretty, I would rank White first. He doesn’t have the wheels of Pacioretty or Maxwell, but I think he has better hockey sense, and is more well rounded as a player. Ryan reminds me a lot of Brendan Morrow when he came up. Everyone got on Morrow about his fitness and his skating, but the guy just got it done at every level.
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