Pacioretty slams teammates and coaches in Vegas over “country club atmosphere”

Former Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty, now a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, is speaking out against this former team and teammates in Vegas, calling them out for their lack of accountability.

Pacioretty was recently on the Montreal based Raw Knuckles Podcast with Chris Nilan and Tim Stapleton earlier this week and he did NOT hold back in his criticism for the entire Golden Knights organization. 

“When I first got to Vegas, it was weird that there was, like, no accountability,” said Pacioretty. “And I’m not talking about in the team; I’m talking about like ever. You couldn’t feel pressure coming off anyone else, from the coach to the management.”

Prior to be traded to Vegas, Pacioretty had spent his entire career in Montreal and served as the team's captain for years. To say that he understands pressure and accountability would be an understatement. Pacioretty has since admitted that being the captain of the Habs was exhausting at times and the idea of going to Vegas was appealing... at least in theory.

“There was a relief when I got there. But then I found myself being like, ‘I’ve got to reel this in and hold myself to a higher standard which I had always done.’ But maybe I got away from it when I had everyone else holding me accountable (in Montreal),” Pacioretty added.

At the end of the season, after which the Golden Knights failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in their history, Pacioretty let management know that things needed to change.

“I mentioned that at the end of the year that no one is really holding us accountable,” Pacioretty explained. “If we have a bad year like this, the city would be half on fire in Montreal. Here in Vegas, it’s 80 degrees, and it’s sunny. We’re getting our car washed and getting our organic food, and going to play golf.

“I was kind of like, ‘we’ve got to police this thing a little better amongst each other.’ I don’t want to say it was a country club, but you have no one from the outside holding you accountable.”

Instead of taking Pacioretty's advice though... the team simply traded him. For nothing...

Interesting choice...

I won't sit here and predict how well the Golden Knights will bounce back next season, but I'll tell you one thing: I bet Max Pacioretty goes on an absolute tear in Carolina.