Insider: Pacioretty's PTO With Maple Leafs "Isn't Really a PTO"

It was an auspicious debut for Max Pacioretty as a Toronto Maple Leaf. All he did in his first preseason game in the Blue & White was score two goals. For a guy trying to win a job on a PTO, that’s a pretty nice start.

But wait a minute, is the veteran really on a PTO (professional tryout)? Insider Elliotte Friedman thinks not, as he described on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Monday.

There was a weird interaction on Friday… A couple of reporters were asking (Pacioretty), 'You're on the fifth line and you're on a PTO...' and Pacioretty was looking at them like... 'What are you talking about?... You are totally wrong.'

When I saw that look on Pacioretty's face, I started asking around and... He's on a PTO that's not a PTO. I think there's a deal there. I'm now more convinced than ever, it's not a PTO. He has a deal.

As in: standard player's contract.

Pacioretty is coming off, essentially, three lost seasons after suffering back-to-back Achilles tears. Last year, with the Washington Capitals, he managed just four goals in 47 games as he struggled to regain his touch. That was not the 330-goal NHL scorer we've come to know over the past 16 years.

Now, after his performance in Toronto's first exhibition game against the Ottawa Senators Sunday night, it's pretty obvious that Patches will indeed have a job with the Leafs this season.