The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired winger Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for winger Tomas Tatar, center Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second round pick.
For the Golden Knights, I don\’t like this trade. They traded a first round pick in 2018 (Joe Veleno), a 2019 second and a 2020 third for Tomas Tatar at the trade deadline, and now flip him with Suzuki, a 2017 first rounder, and another 2019 2nd for Pacioretty, who only scored three more points than Tatar last year, despite injuries. It\’s a 20 goal scorer, a big prospect and a second for a 35 goal scorer. But, when healthy, Pacioretty is a star.
Pacioretty, 29, scored 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 64 games for the Habs in 2017-18. In his NHL career, all in Montreal, Pacioretty has scored 226 goals and 222 assists for 448 points in 626 games.
For the Canadiens, they are rebuilding, and this helps. Suzuki can be a top-6 center in the future, and Tatar can be one now. The second can also come in handy, should they draft right.
Tatar, 27, scored 20 goals and 14 assists for 34 points in 82 games for the Knights and Detroit Red Wings in 2017-18. In his career only for those two teams, Tatar has scored 119 goals and 109 assists for 228 points in 427 games.
Suzuki, 19, scored 42 goals and 58 assists for 100 points in 64 games for the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL in 2017-18.
I think the Habs win this trade. Pacioretty is good, but the return could be way better. I guess we need to wait and see what becomes of Suzuki and the 2nd, but for now, I think they\’ll be better.
CarterHud 