In September 2018, the Vegas Golden Knights, fresh off a Stanley Cup Final appearance in their inaugural season, made a significant move to acquire Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens. The Golden Knights sent Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second-round pick to Montreal in exchange for Pacioretty.
At the time, Vegas was looking to bolster their top-line scoring after losing James Neal and David Perron in free agency. Tatar, acquired at the previous trade deadline, hadn't performed as expected. Pacioretty, a proven goal scorer with five 30-goal seasons under his belt, seemed to fit the bill. Vegas had the cap space and assets to make the deal work. Upon arrival, Pacioretty signed a four-year, $28 million contract extension with the Golden Knights.
Pacioretty did provide the Golden Knights with a consistent offensive presence. In his first three seasons with the team, he led the team in goals, points, even-strength points, even-strength goals, power-play goals and power-play points. However, his time in Vegas was also marked by injuries.
On the other side, the Canadiens acquired Nick Suzuki, who has become a key player for their team. Tatar also had a productive stint in Montreal, becoming a top scorer for the Canadiens. The second-round pick was used to select defenseman Samuel Fagemo.
In July 2022, the Golden Knights traded Pacioretty to the Carolina Hurricanes along with defenseman Dylan Coghlan for future considerations. This move was largely seen as a salary dump, as the Golden Knights were facing cap constraints. Pacioretty had one year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7 million.
Looking back, the trade can be viewed from different perspectives. The Golden Knights acquired a top-line scorer who contributed to their success during his time in Vegas. However, they ultimately had to trade him away due to cap issues. The Canadiens acquired a promising young player in Nick Suzuki, who has become a franchise cornerstone. Tatar also provided valuable offensive contributions during his time in Montreal.
