We hope you weren’t sleeping, because there’s a rare, pre-Training Camp, midnight trade to announce.
Canadiens star and captain Max Pacioretty is headed to the Vegas Golden Knights. In return, Montreal receives Tomas Tatar (and his $5.3m cap hit), Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second round pick. Wow.
The Canadiens have acquired forwards Tomas Tatar and Nick Suzuki, and a 2nd round pick in 2019 from the Vegas Golden Knights (Columbus’ pick previously acquired by Vegas), in return for Max Pacioretty. pic.twitter.com/HEt3uEXOo5
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 10, 2018
Tomas Tatar was acquired by Vegas from the Detroit Red Wings at the 2018 trade deadline, in exchange for a first-round pick in 2018, a second-round pick in 2019, and a third-round pick in 2021. Nick Suzuki is a promising prospect from the 2017 NHL Draft, and currently plays for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack.
The trade comes on the heels of some recent drama between Pacioretty and the Canadiens. When French media reported that Pacioretty was seeking a trade from Montreal, his agent Allan Walsh, and Capitals forward and former teammate Lars Eller, came to his defense.
During the 2018 NHL Draft, the Canadiens almost completed a successful trade for Pacioretty to the LA Kings. However, Pacioretty did not agree extension terms, and so the deal fell through, which allowed today’s move with Vegas to happen.
And, I can guarantee you that the deal was a done deal between MTL & LA. Only reason it didn’t happen was Pacioretty refused the 6 year x $6M contract the Kings offered him. Habs and SJ talked but Habs weren’t interested in what SJ had to offer
— Tony Marinaro (@TonyMarinaro) June 26, 2018
More from the Golden Knights below:
Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee announced today, September 9, the following roster transaction: the team has acquired forward Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Tatar, Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nick Suzuki and a 2019 Second Round draft pick originally belonging to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee will be available to the media on Monday, September 10 at 11:45 a.m. PT at City National Arena in Las Vegas. Members of the media with valid press identification can meet by the regular media entrance into the Golden Knights locker room at 11:25 a.m. PT.
The 29-year-old Pacioretty is a veteran of 626 NHL games – all with the Canadiens – and has tallied 226 goals and 222 assists for 448 points in his NHL career. He has also appeared in 38 playoff games for Montreal with 10 goals and nine assists in those postseason contests. Last season, Pacioretty tallied 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 64 games. He has recorded 30 goals or more in five seasons and recorded a career-high 39 goals during the 2013-14 season.
The native of New Canaan, Connecticut was named the 29th captain in Canadiens history on September 18, 2015 and was the 2012 Masterton Award Winner, which is given to an NHL player who player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Pacioretty was selected by the Canadiens in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Tatar appeared in 20 games for the Golden Knights during the 2017-18 season after being acquired on February 26, 2018 for three draft picks. Suzuki was drafted by the Golden Knights in the first round (13th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Headline photo: Minas Panagiotakis
