Like NHLers from across the league, Max Pacioretty is simply focusing on what he can control — staying in as best shape as he can should the 2019-20 season return at some point, and soaking up as much bonus family time as possible.
The former Montreal Canadien and now Vegas Golden Knight is among those in the league stuck in a unique position — sidelined with seemingly the rest of the world, but preparing for an unknown date that could potentially thrust him into the intensity of playoff hockey.
Whether the 2019-20 NHL season does indeed resume remains up in the air, but if it does, Pacioretty says the march to the 2020 championship will be among the most interesting and difficult in league history.
“I think this will be the hardest Stanley Cup to win out of all of them,” he told Gary Lawless of VegasGoldenKnights.com Saturday. “Look at all the obstacles. Who knows when we’re going to play, where, fans or no fans, everything is up in the air. With that being said, whatever teams that have been banged up are healing up right now. They’re getting their bodies ready and you better believe everyone around the league is trying to get every advantage possible in terms of recovery and getting in whatever shape they can. Most teams go into the playoffs beat up, but that won’t be the case this year. Guys are going to be healthy and teams are going to be able to show their true forms with pretty much every player on the roster.
“For me, I look at it as this will be one of the most special playoffs since I can remember. Teams aren’t going to have any excuses. It’s going to be your full team ready to rock and ready to go.”
While the lengthy hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic brings the unexpected silver lining of allowing players to heal from prior injuries, Pacioretty said it also brings other wrinkles into the mix for contending clubs — like more time to research potential opponents.
“It’s up to us as players to come back after this break and pick up where we left off. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to do so. Teams are going to have a little bit more time to study the way we’ve been playing. Coaches are probably going to look at tape of other teams right now and try to pick up habits,” he told Lawless. “It’s really important we pick up where we left off and start up even stronger again.
“… We really like the team that we have. We feel they’ve done a great job of addressing every need to give us the resources and players to go compete for the ultimate prize. Now it’s up to us to do it.”
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A continuation of the season at this point would likely mean playing deep into the summer, certainly a different feel for teams in markets like Vegas, but Pacioretty said external factors would mean little to those champing at the bit for a crack at the Cup.
“I mean, if we had to wait six months and play in Antarctica, I’d be willing to do that,” he said. “We have a special group. We want to do whatever we can to finish out this year because we feel we have a group that’s capable of doing special things and it’s up to us as a group to try and achieve that when we do get started.”
The 31-year-old is in the midst of his second campaign with Vegas, joining the team in 2018-19 after a decade in Montreal. Prior to the league shutting down, he was enjoying a career year with the Golden Knights, rolling along at a clip of 0.93 points per game through 71 tilts.
But statistics, wins and losses mean little at the moment, with all focus turned to more pressing matters and professional sports on the backburner until life outside the rink can regain some sense of normalcy.
For his part, Pacioretty offered this message to hockey fans amid the sports world’s unprecedented hiatus, via Lawless:
“This is definitely a tough time around the world for everyone. You have to imagine that whether it be economically or financially, it is a tough time for Vegas. So much entertainment, so many jobs on The Strip where people are going to be hurt by this. If we can take any motivation from this to give people hope, something to cheer for, help people out economically by bringing people to Vegas in the future and getting excited for our team, that motivates us as players. I think we have a special bond here with our fans and the city. It motivates us as players to do what we can to win for both ourselves and teammates, but also the people in Las Vegas, the fans that have been genuinely behind us since day one.”