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The signing of winger Nick Robertson on Tuesday does not appear to be the only move that the Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing to make. According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Leafs and free agent winger Max Pacioretty are moving towards a professional tryout contract.
If all goes well, and Toronto creates cap space (which they are working on via trade), a 1-year contract should follow.
The 35-year-old former Montreal Canadiens captain is a six-time 30-goal scorer, but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury with Vegas in 2022, a reoccurrence of the same injury with Carolina in 2023 that limited him to five games, and only four goals in 51 regular season and playoff games with Washington after returning to the lineup last season.
Pagnotta indicated that the Leafs are working on a deal to clear cap space (which may be the reason that Pacioretty is being signed to a PTO with no cap ramifications at this time), but that there is the expectation that Pacioretty and Toronto will come to terms on an agreement for this season.
This potential scenario makes sense as a low-risk move for the Leafs. Pacioretty is highly motivated to continue his career and could be in a better spot to bounce back after being healthy the second half of last season with the Caps and this summer.
What is unknown at this point is what corresponding move will be made to clear salary space to sign Pacioretty on what is expected to be a league-minimum deal. Trading defenseman Conor Timmins $1.1 million salary would likely not be difficult, but would only make sense if there has been some clarification on the Jani Hakanpaa injury status.
A Robertson trade is also possible now that he is locked up on a one-year deal, and would not factor into the Leafs cap situation if they are swapping the 23-year-old for a draft pick. Dealing forward Connor Dewar is also possible if the Leafs believe that one of their youngsters (Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan) can crack the roster this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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