Yesterday I caused a stir when I suggested the #habs should “Pacioretty” Tatar this off-season. I was gobsmacked that anyone could see this idea as even remotely out of the box. And I was a little surprised tweeps were unfamiliar with “the Pacioretty.” So here’s a thread.

The concept of “the Pacioretty” is simple. A hockey team keeps its asset for his highest value years, and then when a new contract is due at a time when a decline is inevitable during that contract, the asset is moved for younger assets. #Habs

To understand the Pacioretty, let’s first talk about Craig Rivet. Rivet was drafted by the #habs in 1992. After some developmental years, Rivet played in MTL for just over a decade. He was a solid top 4 D-man.

In the 2005-06 season, Rivet was due to become a free agent at the end of the season. He was 31. GM Bob Gainey was not prepared to lose Rivet for nothing, so he made a TDD deal sending Rivet and a 5th to San Jose for Josh Gorges and a 1st rounder. #Habs

It’s important to note that when Gainey traded Rivet, the #habs weren’t really sellers. They actually had a decent playoff run that year. An “own rental” would have been justified. But a Gainey wasn’t prepared to lose the asset for nothing.

I could talk about Gorges’ usefulness or the 2nd he would later fetch but I’ll focus on the 1st round pick – it became Max Pacioretty. Drafted 22nd overall in 2007, Max spent a decade in the #habs organization, and was a key goal scorer and captain during that time.

In the summer of 2018, Max was coming off a bad season and there were rumours of a relationship breakdown between he and management. He had one year left on his deal and Bergevin had a decision to make about his next contract. Max would be 30 when a richer deal was due. #Habs

Bergevin traded Max to Vegas for Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 2nd that the #habs moved for a 3rd and a 5th. Matthias Norlinder was drafted in the 3rd round. Jacob LaGuerriere was drafted in the 5th. 4 assets for Pacioretty. Would any fan undo that trade today?

Tomas Tatar, the salary dump in that deal, has served the #habs well. They did not feel the loss of Max’s production while they wait for the full benefit of the real prize, Suzuki, and the highly touted Norlinder. And now the #habs are at a crossroads with Tatar.

Tatar is entering the last year of his contract. He will be 30 years old when a new deal is due. We have seen his best years already, and decline is likely during the duration of a new deal.

OR

He can be Pacioretty’d.

#Habs

Bergevin could choose to make an off-season deal like he did with Max, or he could do a TDD deal as Gainey did with Rivet – even with playoffs looming – or some time in between. But my view is that he should not waste the asset. #Habs

Perhaps Tuna doesn’t fetch the return Max did. That was a pretty special package. But I do believe he can fetch the late 1st and useful roster player that Rivet fetched. But I’m hard pressed to justify letting the asset walk for free. #Habs

Now some fans would just re-sign Tatar, but all those fans think he’s coming for less dollars and term than he will. And even if you can get the team friendly deal, are you sure you want to lose the chance to get the useful player and a late first? #Habs