Photo credit: André Pichette, La PresseAn excerpt from the Hockey News article by T.C. Denault who analyses the Max Pacioretty situation:
It says here that the Canadiens would be better served sending him to Hamilton to begin the season. Now this is not a knock in any way on Pacioretty’s skills, which are a unique blend of power, speed, and intensity that haven’t been seen in these parts in a long time. Watching him last night play the way he did certainly removed any doubts of his ability to play at the NHL level.
But one has to be careful to not take too much from one game, or even a training camp, and in this case it is Bob Gainey and the Canadiens brass that have to look at the big picture, all the while balancing what’s best for the future of Max Pacioretty, in addition to what’s best for the Montreal Canadiens.
Max Pacioretty is 19 years-old.
Last year at the University of Michigan he played in 39 games. While undeniably valuable, these 39 games do not give a player any conception of the grind he is about to face this season in the professional ranks, a year in which he will double his games played total whether he plays in the NHL or the AHL, and against a much higher level of opposition. The thought of him tiring and getting worn down as the season wears on is a very real and distinct possibility.
Furthermore, in Montreal he would be starring on the third line at best, and is more than likely going to spend a lot of time on the bench as the Habs biggest stars like Kovalev tend to their regular shifts plus power plays etc … On the flipside in Hamilton, he would be on the top line, the power play and along the way could improve his already well established skills, all the while adjusting to his newfound life as a professional hockey player, in a setting far less pressure packed and chaotic than what currently exists in Montreal.
Habster:
I couldn’t agree more with T.C. Denault’s assessment of the Pacioretty dossier. Why rush the talented 19 year old when he will only be playing 10-12 minutes a game on the third or fourth line in the NHL (at least to start his NHL career).
As Denault stated in the article, the Canadiens have a good enough team without having to rush Pacioretty’s development, something they haven’t had in years.
One of the main reasons for building player depth within a hockey organization is to have a GRADUAL feeder system in place that allows prospects to have a maturation period throughout the system (CHL, KHL, ECHL, NCAA, USHL and AHL…..etc).
It’s not as if sending Pacioretty to Hamilton will cause him any harm or regress his development, just the contrary. If you listen to Max Pacioretty‘s post game comments, you’ll understand that the kid has his head screwed on straight and is completely realistic about his development, whether it’s with the Canadiens or Bulldogs, it makes no difference to him.
He just loves to play the game of hockey and it shows on the ice with his hustle, determination and infectious energy. The young man will be a solid NHLer soon enough so let’s give him some time to further adjust to the pro game……in Hamilton.
