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Anaheim Ducks: Did Ducks luck out on missing Max Pacioretty?

By Chris Bushell

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 26: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens skates onto the ice prior to NHL game action against the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 26, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 26: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens skates onto the ice prior to NHL game action against the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 26, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 22: Look on Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) during the New York Rangers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 22, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 22: Look on Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) during the New York Rangers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 22, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Early this morning, or late last night if you’re on the West coast, a trade broke we have been waiting all summer for. The former Montreal Canadiens captain, Max Pacioretty was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights. But was the price too steep for the Anaheim Ducks?

Whether you’re a glass half full or half empty person will give you a different outlook on the 2018-19′ Anaheim Ducks. Glass half full people are looking at Ryan Kesler being fully healthy well the half empties are looking at RK17 missing the whole season. Regardless of the camp, you’re in there is no denying Max Pacioretty would’ve made the Ducks better. But was the price worth the risk?

The Pros

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens prepares for a face off during the second period against the New York Islanders on March 2, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens prepares for a face off during the second period against the New York Islanders on March 2, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Just a few months ago I wrote on how the Ducks should take a run at Patches. If Kesler is healthy and back to the pivot on the second line Patches can be moved to the wing and improves the top 6 or top 9. If Kesler does miss part of or the season having a center lineup of Ryan Getzlaf-Pacioretty-Adam Henrique would be hard to beat. Pacioretty has great leadership ability being captain of the Canadiens as well as being a great player. He can play in all situations and is usually good for  50-60 point season. That’s consistently good production in the NHL and the calming nature of which he plays with can settle things down in high-pressure games and moments.

He is still just 29 years of age and has been under a microscope for virtually his whole career. Playing in Montreal is pressure packed enough not to mention when you’re the Habs captain. Everything that plagues the teams falls to you and he has produced in a place where fans live and die with each drop of the puck. The Ducks would be an even better team with him but was the price worth the risk in this situation?

The Cons

MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 03: Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) tracks the play during the Anaheim Ducks versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 3, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 03: Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Max Pacioretty (67) tracks the play during the Anaheim Ducks versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 3, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Vegas Golden Knight sent Tomas Tatar, high-end prospect Nick Suzuki and a second round pick to land Pacioretty. And while on its face this doesn’t look to be much this was a lot for a player who is only signed for the coming season. Pacioretty is coming off a contract that saw him paid 4.5 million per for six years. With him set to turn 30 at the end of the 2018-19′ season, he will most likely be looking for his last big contract. He could command something in the ballpark of 6+ million and most likely will want a long-term deal. There is no guarantee the Knights re-sign him and to give up a bottom six forward, a prospect who has put up 100pts in juniors and was selected 13th overall, and a second round pick is quite a lot.

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To put this in terms for the Ducks it would’ve most likely been a package that looked like this. Nick Ritchie, Sam Steel, and a 2nd round pick. Now while I’m okay with sending Ritchie away I have a hard time parting with a prospect as highly touted as Steel and a second round pick for what could be a 1 year rental. Even if Patches came to SoCal and resigned I think that is a lot to give up. Steel has all the makings to be a super-star in this league. And with the hopeful promotions of prospects, this year and next the Ducks need to keep their picks to re-stock prospects.

There is no denying Pacioretty makes the Ducks better but for that price I am glad Bob Murray isn’t willing to pay. What say you Ducks fans? Would you have made the deal for Patches? Let us know in the comments and on Facebook/Twitter.

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