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Max Pacioretty’s agent refutes report stating he requested a trade multiple times in 2017-18
As we anxiously await news on Max Pacioretty’s future, his camp is refuting a Radio-Canada report that the Canadiens captain had asked for a trade multiple times during the 2017-18 season.
The report, translated from French to English, had this to say about the situation:
“During the last season, it was Pacioretty himself who asked to leave Montreal several times and asked for an exchange. This information is confirmed by three sources well aware of the file. You read correctly: three sources.”
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However, it appears the three sources may not have their facts straight. Pacioretty, who has publicly stated all along that he wants to stay in Montreal, had his agent, Allan Walsh of Octagon Hockey, jump in to defend his client on Thursday.
Max Pacioretty has stated repeatedly that he loves Montreal and wants to remain in Montreal. To this date, he’s never received any offer from Montreal. You can have 3 sources or 10 sources, how many times does Max have to state that he wants to remain in Montreal long term?
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) August 30, 2018
Pretty bold words from Pacioretty’s representative, but Walsh wasn’t done there. The agent then released information about the Canadiens failed trade negotiations with the Los Angeles Kings that involved Montreal’s captain. According to Walsh, the 29-year old Canadien ultimately turned down the deal because he did not want to commit to a long-term extension with the Kings.
Not only has Pacioretty verbally declared his love for the city of Montreal, he’s backed it up with his actions. The three-time All-Star is known to spend summers with his family in the city.
Although it looks like general manager Marc Bergevin will ultimately trade the goal-scoring winger, it may not be the best move for the Canadiens’ short-term future. Finding star players who embrace the intense hockey culture of Montreal has been a tough task, and judging by the team’s off-season efforts in recent years, it’s not getting any easier to recruit players.
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