Toronto Maple Leafs sign Max Pacioretty to PTO; no word on a time machine

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Max Pacioretty to a PTO, which is somewhat big news, but also, unless they also invented a time machine, not something that is going to make them any better.

Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Nick Robertson to a new contract with the promise of an opportunity to contribute to a Stanley Cup contending team.

Signing Pacioretty isn't going to affect Nick Robertson, because if he does win a job in training camp, it's highly unlikely to be at the top of the lineup where Nick Robertson is most likely going to play.

A best-case scenario sees Pacioretty make the team over players like Calle Jarnkrok, Bobby McMann, Connor Dewar or Ryan Reaves. It would take a medical miracle for him to be within a hundred miles of Nick Robertson at training camp.

Toronto Maple Leafs sign Max Pacioretty to PTO; no word on a time machine

Pacioretty is 35 and though it's only been two seasons since he was scoring at a 40 goal pace, that is an eternity at his age when up against the best in the world.

Unfortunately, barring extremely unusual results, players who decline in their mid-thirties never regain what they lost. The level that pros are playing at is just too high and when you're a star like Pacioretty, you just can't get back to that level.

At one time, Paccioretty was an automatic 30 to 35 goals, but for the last seven years there was barely anyone more reliable for a 35 goal pace with 20+ games missed. Unfortunately, even those days are gone.

Pacioretty hasn't exceeded 48 games in the last four seasons, and his game really fell off last year. Before that, even with the injuries, Pacioretty always posted great numbers. But he played just 47 games last year and was largely ineffective after missing all but five the year before. That's probably too much to overcome at his age, but....

Honestly, you can see why the Leafs would sign him to a PTO. Even though I'd rather they just play the kids, and even though I fear they might just go with the guy with the reputation even if he's not the best player, this is essentially a risk free move. (stats naturalstattrick.com).

Pacioretty most likely cannot regain the step he lost, but the fact is until his most recent knee injury he was still driving play and posting sick results. The Leafs and Pacioretty would need a miracle for him to be a more useful player than Alex Steeves or Calle Jarkrok, but it's possible.

Unfortunately, getting the Max Pacioretty who can challenge Knies, Domi or Robertson for ice-time just isn't going to happen. Not unless they also signed Doc and Marty to a PTO as well.