Max Pacioretty signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old forward had 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) in 47 regular-season games for the Washington Capitals last season and one assist in four Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Pacioretty made his season debut Jan. 3 after having not played since Jan. 19, 2023, because of a torn Achilles tendon. That came five games into his return after previously tearing the same tendon.
"Our expectation is he's going to come in, he gives us more depth,” Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said Thursday. “All that stuff's going to sort itself out at camp, right? I know we all get excited when we see guys out here, but to me, what we're trying to do is make our roster as deep as possible.
“I think there's going to be lots of people pushing for jobs. Where everybody fits and who they fit with, Craig (Berube) and the coaching staff will figure it out. I'm just trying to give them as many options as we possibly can. But we're excited to see Max, get him up to speed."
Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (No. 22) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Pacioretty has 668 points (330 goals, 338 assists) in 902 regular-season games for the Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and Canadiens and 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in 78 playoff games.
The Maple Leafs also signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa to a one-year, $1.47 million contract on Wednesday. The 32-year-old had 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 64 games for the Dallas Stas last season and did not play in the playoffs because of a lower-body injury.
Toronto previously signed forward Steven Lorentz to a professional tryout Sept 4. The 28-year-old had three points (one goal, two assists) in 38 regular-season games for the Florida Panthers last season and three points (two goals, one assist) in 16 playoff games to help them win the Stanley Cup.
NHL.com independent correspondent Dave McCarthy contributed to this report
