Your Call: Should the Leafs trade for Pacioretty?

On Hockey Night in Canada’s Saturday Headlines this past weekend, NHL insiders Nick Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman discussed the future of Montreal Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty and the possibility of him hitting the trade market.

Despite a relatively affordable cap hit of $4.5 million and four consecutive 60+ point seasons, Pacioretty appears to be on the way out in Montreal. This leads to the question: how can the Leafs acquire the 29-year-old sniper and sink their division rivals at the same time? Would the Habs even entertain a move with their most bitter rivals?

In his latest article for Pension Plan Puppets, Leafs blogger ElSeldo puts together a hypothetical trade package for Pacioretty. Check it out:

Josh Leivo (1yr, $925,000), Connor Carrick (RFA), Travis Dermott (2yr/$863,333), Frédérik Gauthier (RFA), one of Jeremy Bracco (2yr/$842,500) or Adam Brooks (2yr/$759,167), 2x 2018 2nd round picks (Toronto & San Jose Sharks - this gives them four 2nd round picks next draft).

An interesting proposition, but if you’re Habs GM Marc Bergevin are you really trading your captain without getting a star player in return? Leivo and Dermott certainly could develop into capable NHLers, but no one is mistaking them for Max Pacioretty anytime soon.

More likely the Leafs would have to look at moving an impact player like James van Riemsdyk and/or a 1st round pick as a way to start the discussion. Even then, the reality is that the Leafs and Habs RARELY hook up on trades… one of this magnitude seems even less likely. Still… it’s fun to daydream, isn’t it? Especially when your daydreams involve fleecing the Habs…