PTO Candidates: Sharks Should Try Out Max Pacioretty

With training camps around the NHL about to begin, many players still on the UFA market could take a professional tryout to further their career. The San Jose Sharks should consider giving a PTO to former Washington Capitals forward Max Pacioretty.

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The 35-year-old winger is in the late stages of his NHL career. He’s dealt with two Achilles tears and is still a productive player. In 47 games with the Capitals last season, Pacioretty scored four goals and 19 assists.

While he’s not the same as he once was on the Montreal Canadiens or Vegas Golden Knights, bringing in the 2007 first-round pick on a PTO will allow the Sharks to have no commitment to him on the roster.

Like Justin Bailey before last season, the Sharks could also sign him to an AHL deal should he be okay with playing in the minors.

Just two seasons ago, Pacioretty was scoring at a significant clip. With the Golden Knights in 21-22, the winger scored 19 goals in 39 games. He also had 18 assists. While injuries have slowed his abilities, he hasn’t lost his shot.

If the Sharks were to give Pacioretty a PTO and made the roster, he would be a perfect veteran third-line winger who can also play on the second powerplay unit. He could also provide veteran leadership to a young team, as he was the captain of the Canadiens from 2015-2018.

He has scored over 30 goals in a single season six times in his career and has scored 330 in 902 games.

While there are a lot of forwards on the Sharks assumed training camp roster, adding Pacioretty to the mix will bring even more competition.

Related: Mike Grier Isn’t Concerned With Amount Of Forwards; Expects Sharks Training Camp To Be Most Competitive Since Taking Over

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