We learned at the time that GM Matt Young would be willing to accommodate such a request as long as the return made sense, and apparently Young found one that made sense.
Pacioretty goes to the Springfield Isotopes in exchange for prospects Ryan Suzuki and Ryan McLeod, along with a 2020 second-round pick.
In McLeod and Suzuki, Fort Erie replenishes the farm system at the center position after dealing top prospects Barret Hayton and Akil Thomas over the last month.
Suzuki, in particular, seems to be the centrepiece of the transaction.
The former first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection draft is having a solid season this year having moved to Saginaw at the OHL trade deadline.
In Young's media conference following the trade, he seemed quite pleased to add the pair of centers to the organization.
"I like what we got a lot. Suzuki is having a great start on a team playing for a championship in Saginaw and I think McLeod has a real chance of playing given the wheels he has displayed in his career. The kid can really skate."
Young added that he was happy to get a second-round pick back but had hoped for a first.
"I think it's a good return. I was hoping for a first in the trade too but without Max playing, teams seemed worried about how long it might take him to get back into game shape. To Aaron's credit (Springfield GM Aaron Stacey), he was willing to take a risk and bolster his team."
The team also acquired Roman Polak before the trade deadline to ensure a solid group of eight defenders for the playoffs.
My next story will be a feature of Polak's adjustment to Fort Erie and how he is working to rehab his injury. Until then, keep your stick on the ice!
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