In the eyes of Toronto Maple Leafs fans, it took Max Pacioretty one preseason game to go from a ‘wait and see’ situation with the hope that he doesn’t steal a roster spot from somebody like Easton Cowan to a guy who could be one of the better value free agent signings, provided he stays healthy.

At the age of 36, while registering four goals and 23 points in 49 games last season, the prospect of bringing in Pacioretty might have been seen as another veteran past his prime who is expected to play like he’s in his prime. But before injuries hijacked much of 2023-24 and all but five games of his 2022-23 season, Pacioretty was a consistent 60-point pace player who could score 25-30 goals. Asking him to bring that to the Maple Leafs this season would be a lot, but he clearly feels like he’s got enough in the tank to be a complementary contributor on offence.

With ten seasons under his belt with the Montreal Canadiens, Pacioretty will suit up against his former team for the first time as a Maple Leaf tonight, and if all goes well, in the season opener on October 8 as well. He says that getting to participate in the historic rivalry is not something he takes for granted.

“It means a lot,” Pacioretty told reporters following Thursday morning’s practice. “Obviously, I remember opening night always playing against each other and setting the tone for the season, good or bad, it’s a huge rivalry. I haven’t played in a rivalry like this probably since I’ve been gone from Montreal, so those games are ones you always get up for. It’s obviously preseason, so it’s much different, but at the same time I’m just looking forward to building my game right now.”

With four years with the Vegas Golden Knights, a short stint with the Washington Capitals and a minuscule stint with the Carolina Hurricanes, it’s true that Pacioretty hasn’t had a rivalry to participate in since the Canadiens moved on from him. It would be hard to blame him for feeling a little bit awkward putting on a Leafs jersey, after ten years and five 30 plus-goal seasons during his time with Montreal, but it doesn’t bother him. In fact, his family thinks it’s a better look for him.

“It’s an honour to wear it [a Leafs jersey]. I don’t see why I would feel otherwise. My kids say it’s the best jersey that I’ve worn…it’s such an honour to wear both jerseys, two original six teams, obviously the history of both teams, that side of it definitely doesn’t feel weird at all. I’m proud of it.”

After opening the preseason on a line with John Tavares and Nikita Grebenkin, the latter is expected to swap out in favour of Pontus Holmberg, who got off to a good start in his own quest to crack the opening night lineup with some solid play on the defensive side of the puck and a surprising element of grit with a fight against Ottawa’s Cole Reinhardt. Seeing that the Leafs are experimenting with the idea of having Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Tavares down the middle, it’s possible we could see these two on a line to start the season.

And Pacioretty is here for it, citing Tavares’ ability to open himself up and find himself in line to make a play.

“When we talked a bit after the game and before the game, it’s a little bit about that old-school mentality that isn’t really around the league as much as it was when I was playing at my best,” Pacioretty said. “It reminds me a lot of a guy like [Mark] Stone. He’s just always in the right place at the right time. Sometimes with guys like that you understand why they’re so good, but when you play with them you understand on a whole new level. Really, my first shift with him it was like ‘wow, he’s already in the right spot’, he works super hard and plays the right way, but always being in the right spot shows why he’s had so much success.”

With four preseason games to go before opening night, Pacioretty will likely see himself suit up in three of those, assuming the Leafs give the ‘B-unit’ another game in Montreal on Saturday before making further cuts, but he made it known that he’s ready to go and will play as much before opening night as the team will let him.

“I like playing early. I just want to feel as good as I can as quickly as I can. That’s my ultimate goal.”