Pacioretty has 'no hard feelings' toward Canadiens as return to Montreal nears
Max Pacioretty says he isn't bitter about the Montreal Canadiens trading him to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The left winger told reporters, including NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger, on Monday that he holds "no hard feelings" toward Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin or the club. Pacioretty was dealt to Vegas in September in exchange for forward Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second-round pick.
"Hey, P.K. (Subban) was traded so anything can happen," Pacioretty added, referring to the blockbuster Subban-for-Shea Weber swap that the Canadiens and Nashville Predators swung in summer 2016.
Pacioretty, the Canadiens' former captain, practiced at full contact on Monday for the first time since suffering an injury that's forced him to miss the Golden Knights' last four games.
Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant said he isn't sure if Pacioretty will play on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. After that game, the Golden Knights face the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, and then the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday.
I asked Max Pacioretty after practice here in Toronto how many ticket requests he’s had already for Saturday in Montreal and he joked he’s keeping his phone off so his credit card won’t get maxed out.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 5, 2018
Shortly after the trade, Pacioretty said he was "ready to move on" while acknowledging both he and the team agreed it was time to part ways.
He has notched two goals in 10 games with the Golden Knights.