Looking Back at Vegas's Max Pacioretty Deal With Montreal
This retrospective examines the 2018 major trade that sent Max Pacioretty from Montreal to Vegas, with the Golden Knights giving up Nick Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, and a 2019 second-round pick that became Samuel Fagemo. Vegas was seeking a proven top-line scorer and leader after a Stanley Cup Final run, and Pacioretty produced, but injuries and the team's failure to win a title shaped the deal's legacy. The article weighs which side ultimately came out ahead.
Vegas made the 2018 swap after reaching the Stanley Cup Final, wanting an established scorer and leader. Pacioretty had recorded five 30-goal campaigns with Montreal and later signed a large extension while Vegas still had cap room.
The return included Suzuki, Tatar, and a 2019 second-rounder that turned into Fagemo. Pacioretty posted 22 goals and 40 points in 66 games in 2018-19, then 56 goals and 117 points over 119 games. He added 15 playoff goals and 30 points in 36 appearances before being dealt to Carolina in a cost-cutting move.
This trade may shape how fans and analysts view team-building: Vegas prioritized immediate contention, while Montreal gained a young cornerstone. Such deals could influence future front-office risk-taking, player movement, and fan expectations. For players and their families, relocation and pressure may bring career opportunities and instability. For communities, playoff runs may boost local identity and business activity, though outcomes are uncertain.