Max Pacioretty has signed with the Canadiens. Though most everyone expected him back, this isn't a major shocker since the word all along was that Pacioretty had wanted to go pro but his family wanted him to stay in school. It was only a matter of time after he dominated Montreal's development camp.
It's just disappointing. Michigan is still very good--and very deep--up front, but it hurts to lose a potentially dominant player like Pacioretty. I suppose the top line will be something like Summers-Hagelin-Palushaj now?
Pacioretty ends his Michigan career with 15 goals and 39 points.
Good luck to Patches. I think there's at least a decent chance that he will be the best forward that Michigan has put into the NHL in the Berenson-era.
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This sucks. He would have been a candidate for CCHA POY and the Hobey, as well as making us huge favorites to win the national title, but instead he will probably be playing in the AHL next year. Hopefully our tremendous depth will enable us to succeed without Max.
OUCH, that sucks.
"Huge favorites?????????????"
This is so typical now- and it is not like he is going to light up the NHL.
I bet this really has Red ready to retire.
Tim,
Obviously we will miss Max. I saw you mention elsewhere about the possibility of Palushaj leaving? Is that based on anything (or just a hunch) and how likely is that now?
Jeff- I do believe we would have been significant favorites with Max in the lineup, INCH had us ranked #2 behind BC for '09 and that was based on all the returning talent we had (obviously led by Max) but I think we will still do well without him, if you remember this time last year everyone thought we were a year away...
anon,
I wasn't saying that your team wouldn't be "a" favorite, I just don't think that Michigan would be "the" favorite.
The INCH article that you're referring to was written a week or two after the F4. As we all know, much has changed since then.
I think we would've been one of the favorites to win the title with Max, but I don't think we would've been huge favorites. Fair or not, after Sauer's performance against Notre Dame, the goaltending is a question mark once again. With what BC has coming back (and with a sophomore goalie that won a title) I'd have a hard time putting us ahead of them, even with Max.
I still think you could lump us into the group of favorites (though obviously our chances have gone down). I still think we've got a great chance to have a very successful season.
@Kurt: Pacioretty talked Palushaj into staying. I've heard nothing to suggest that Palushaj would leave now, but it was something that jumped right to mind when I saw that Max was gone.
I think it is too early to say who is going to be the favorite.
Last years FF4 just proved that rankings mean nothing at the end of the year. Notre Dame lost their top scorer had a horrible second half run and almost won an NCAA title. Yikes! Personally I don't see them back in the FF4 next season.
Look at all of those Michigan teams filled with great talent that should have won NCAA titles and havent same can be said with other teams.
Tim,
Thanks for the follow up. I guess that's worrisome but I trust he sold him on "it's the best thing for you" rather than "I am coming back and you should too." At least I hope so b/c Max never seemed sure of himself.
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