Max Pacioretty is keeping a stiff upper lip.
Still, the veteran forward of 905 games in the National Hockey League isn’t thrilled that he has been reduced to the role of spectator in the early going for the Maple Leafs.
After scoring once in his first three games with Toronto, Pacioretty will be a healthy scratch for the second game in a row when the Leafs play host to the New York Rangers on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena.
“I’m dealing with it the best I can, just work,” Pacioretty said after he was the last player off the ice as the Leafs held an optional morning skate at the Ford Performance Centre. “I’m at this stage of my career for a reason.
“Would I rather be playing? Of course, anyone would rather be playing, but at the same time, I know I can help the team, even when I’m not playing. I had a good workout out here and I’ll just keep working on my game.”
When the Leafs invited Pacioretty to camp on a professional tryout, it didn’t take long for it to become public knowledge that a contract was waiting in general manager Brad Treliving’s desk drawer, to be signed upon the conclusion of the preseason.
And that’s what happened, as Pacioretty put his signature on a one-year, $873,770 US contract on Oct. 7. That’s his base salary. A performance bonus of $313,115 would come after Pacorietty plays in 10 games, and after he plays in 35 games.
Pacioretty was asked about the message he got from coach Craig Berube about being benched.
“Uh, I don’t know,” Pacioretty said after a pause. “I don’t really need a message. I’ve played for a long time, and I know it’s a long season, and then if you’re lucky enough to get in the playoffs, it’s a whole new season.
“It’s a big deal that I’m getting asked about it, but at the same time, I don’t focus on any of the stuff that I can’t control. I just can control coming in here and working on my game and being a good teammate.”
After the Leafs beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-2 on Wednesday, Berube addressed the Pacioretty benching.
“Just a decision I made, that’s it,” Berube said. “There’s no message. We have guys, we have extra players and not everybody can play every night. That’s the bottom line.
“He has been fine when he has played. I have to make decisions as a coach and I’m going to make those decisions (on) what I think is best for the team.”
What did Pacioretty think of his play when he was in the lineup for three games?
“I thought I played well,” Pacioretty said.
Truth be told, the odds were stacked against Pacioretty to an extent when he arrived on a PTO. He’s going to turn 36 on Nov. 20 and has endured injuries in recent seasons, including a couple of Achilles tendon tears, a wrist injury and a broken foot.
When he did play, he was not overly productive, scoring seven goals in 52 games in the previous two seasons with Washington and Carolina.
Still, Pacioretty demonstrated enough in camp to cement a contract. Ditto for forward Steven Lorentz, who also playing on a PTO.
An issue, too, is the Leafs’ depth at forward. Bobby McMann was a healthy scratch in the season opener, but he won’t be watching again any time soon. Nick Robertson hasn’t recorded a point, though he has played with his usual energy and cleaned up his defensive game.
Pontus Holmberg hasn’t been super, but he is defensively responsible, and there has been no reason for Berube to break up the fourth line of David Kampf between Lorentz and Ryan Reaves.
“Anyone would be up here talking honestly, say they want to play, and they feel they deserve to play,” Pacioretty said. “I’ll just keep working. It’s a long season, and looking forward to the chance to get back in there.
“There’s so much to work on. We have skating guys, skill guys, shooting, in the gym … that’s what I love about this sport.
“Nothing’s linear (or) black and white. It’s a game that’s all instinctive and reactive. When you do get in, you want to make sure if you haven’t played and in my case, it has been over a week so far, so you want to stay fresh. That’s what’s cool about this game, there’s so many areas that you can work on and I’m always working on it.”
With a record of 3-0-1 in their first four games, the Rangers were one of five NHL teams, along with Calgary, Winnipeg, Tampa Bay and Minnesota, that had not lost in regulation.
“It’s a very good team,” Berube said. “Measuring stick? I’m not really looking at it like that. We need to play a very good game.”
Anthony Stolarz is expected to start in goal for Toronto. Joseph Woll, still recovering from groin tightness, was not on the ice on Saturday morning as he had a mandatory day off.
Defenceman Timothy Liljegren will be scratched after making his season debut against the Kings. Conor Timmins will draw back in on the blue line.
The Leafs held their morning skate at their facility in Etobicoke, and not at Scotiabank Arena like they always do, because of road closures downtown on Saturday morning for a marathon.