Earlier today, Darren Dreger hinted at the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs adding two veteran players to their roster, just in time for training camp.
This tweet came almost immediately after the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Nick Robertson, and names two players that Dreger "expect...to be next in line as Leafs adds".
These two players are former Habs captain Max Pacioretty, and veteran defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.
Both of these players are no more than depth adds to this top-heavy Toronto Maple Leafs team, but maybe there is an outside chance they help the team.
New Rumour hints at 2 new additions to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Max Pacioretty:
To put it bluntly, Pacioretty was atrocious last season with the Washington Capitals. In his defense, no one expected him to have a star season, and that Caps team had a tough time scoring regardless.
But if we look at the three seasons prior to last, Pacioretty scored 46 goals in 92 games, which is a 0.5 goal-per-game pace. If we pro-rate this over a full 82-game season, a 0.5 goal-per-game is a 41 goal season if he plays the full 82 games.
Now, there's no way we can realistically expect Pacioretty to score 41 goals next year with the Leafs, the former star forward has never even broken 40 in his career.
Pacioretty was a fairly consistent 30-35 goal scorer in his prime, but even that seems unrealistic.
But can he score 15 next year? Maybe 20? There's a possibility. Everyone thought the same things about Eric Staal before he resurrected his career with the Minnesota Wild, maybe Pacioretty can do the same.
Even if this gamble doesn't work out, there's no way the Leafs sign the 35-year-old for more than a single season.
Jani Hakanpaa:
In contrast to Pacioretty, most can exactly predict what type of player Hakanpaa is going to be. He'll be a solid #6-7 defenseman, he plays physical, blocks shots, kills penalties, and he'll score around 12 points a season.
The Leafs hope Hakanpaa can replicate the success that Luke Schenn had just a few seasons ago, and as a strong, physical, right-handed defenseman, I can see what the Leafs are going for here, but he's unlikely to be much of a factor.
I like both of these players as depth adds, but with Nick Robertson re-signing, it may be tougher for Pacioretty to find a scoring role on the team.
The one thing I do respect is Treliving giving these players a shot, and while the Leafs still need another high-end defenseman (and maybe a forward too), I think this is a step in the right direction.
Let's see if these two can make a difference on the 2024-25 Leafs team.