The competition to sign veteran forward Max Pacioretty is intensifying. The Fourth Period confirmed on September 3 that both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings are pursuing the unrestricted free agent.
Despite dealing with injuries over recent seasons, including a brief 47-game appearance with the Washington Capitals last year, Pacioretty remains a sought-after player. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, both teams are seriously considering adding the 35-year-old winger to their rosters. The report outlines that Pacioretty faces a choice between two distinct offers from the Leafs and the Wings. The Maple Leafs currently have just over $1.275 million in salary cap space, which might not be enough to secure Pacioretty unless they make additional moves to free up more room. In contrast, the Red Wings have a more favorable situation with over $17.6 million in cap space. However, they still need to complete contracts with key restricted free agents like Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, which could limit their ability to finalize a deal with Pacioretty. While it’s unclear what Pacioretty is asking for, his next contract is likely to include performance bonuses, similar to his previous deal with Washington, where he earned a $2 million base salary on a one-year contract.
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