HabsWorld.net --
After receiving a gruesome hit from Boston’s Zdeno Chara on March 10th, 2011,
which left him with a fractured cervical vertebrae, many wondered if Max
Pacioretty’s NHL career had ended far too soon. Thankfully, news soon broke that
he had resumed practicing and Pacioretty went into training camp last fall 100%
healthy and with something to prove. His play left little doubt that there would
be any long term effects from his injury.
2011-2012
He started the season as a top six forward and was shuffled through several
different linemates before being paired with centre David Desharnais and fellow
American Erik Cole. Once that trio began to gel, his offence took off to another
level. He became the type of power forward that Habs fans have been waiting
years for. He frequently found himself parked in front of the oppositions’ net
where he developed a knack for burying rebounds and finished the season with a
career high 33 goals and 32 assists in 79 games (only missing three games due to
suspension). To top things off, he won the Bill Masterton trophy for persevering
in the face of adversary.
Season Stats
GP: 79
Goals: 33
Assists: 32
Points: 65
+/-: +2
PIMS: 56
PPG: 4
GWG: 5
Shots: 256
Hits: 104
4 Year Averages
GP: 51
Goals: 13
Assists: 15
Points: 28
+/-: -2
PIMS: 36
PPG: 3
GWG: 2
Shots: 125
Hits: 71
2012-2013 Role
Pacioretty will enter the season as the Canadiens undisputed first line left
winger. It is safe to assume that he will begin the year with his regular linemates of Desharnais and Cole and given a full year together his point totals
should be higher if he can stay healthy. At just 23 years old he is still developing and should
continue to improve his play at both ends of the ice.
Projected Stats
What kind of system new head coach Michel Therrien implements
will factor into what kind of year he has. Therrien has been known to get the
most out of his star players and use them in situations that they are
comfortable with. Pacioretty has a nose for the net and will probably be causing other teams’
goaltenders fits while drawing defenders away from his teammates. Also, with a
full year of Andrei Markov running the power play we should see better offensive
numbers from those units. He is a must draft left winger in all fantasy
leagues, move him up in your rankings if your league places value on shots on
goal.
GP: 82
Goals: 34
Assists: 36
Points: 70
+/-: +7
PIMS: 58
PPG: 7
GWG: 5
Shots: 265
Hits: 108
