Montreal Canadiens trade captain Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty is headed to a warmer climate as the Montreal Canadiens have traded the 29-year-old captain to the Vegas Golden Knights.

In return for theseventh captain Montreal has traded since the 1989-90 season, the Canadiens receiveforwards Tom Tatar, 27, prospect Nick Suzuki, 19, anda second-round pick in 2019.

"We lost our captain, we lost a good player, but we also gained some good potential and a second-round pick," Montreal head coach Claude Julien told reporters at the team's annual golf tournament ahead of training camp later this week. "There are a lot of good second-round picks around the league."

The Habs announced the tradeon their website just before 1 a.m. ET.

Who won the deal?:

Trade analysis: Who won the Max Pacioretty deal?

6 years ago

Duration 1:59

Now that the saga is finally over in Montreal, Rob Pizzo explores which team's fanbase should be happier after the trade.

"Merci, Max. Thank you, Max," the team tweeted along with a video highlighting Pacioretty's career.

Pacioretty was named Canadiens captain in 2015 and has played all 626 of his NHL games with Montreal. His name hadbeen mentioned in trade speculation since last season's trade deadline.

CanadiensownerGeoff Molson said Paciorettyrequested a trade last season and all parties agreed it was the best scenario, which Pacioretty denied on Friday.

Watch Molson, Habs GM Bergevin react to Pacioretty trade:

Marc Bergevin and Geoff Molson on the Max Pacioretty trade

6 years ago

Duration 0:52

Marc Bergevin and Geoff Molson on the Max Pacioretty trade

"It's been going on several months now that we've been trying to make this happen and here we are today," Molson said. "From our perspective, we're just going to focus on telling the truth, and that's that a request was made."

There were reports in June that a deal to sendPaciorettyto the Los Angeles Kings fell through when the two sides failed to agree on a contract.

It's very important that we have the right person in place. We'll deal with that in time. Canadienshead coach Claude Julienon the team's timetable for naming a new captain

Canadiensgeneral manager Marc Bergevin said a contract extension was not on the table for Pacioretty, who is entering the final year of his contract that will pay him $4.5 million US.

The Knights announced Monday they had re-signed Pacioretty to a four-year extension worth $28 million that will begin in the 2019-2020 season.

After four consecutive years with 30 goals or more, he struggled last year along with the team, recording only 37 points (17 goals and 20 assists) in64 games.

Watch coach Claude Juliendiscuss the trade:

Canadiens coach Claude Julien: "I have to look at the future in front of me"

6 years ago

Duration 1:49

Julien spoke to the media after the Canadiens traded captain Max Pacioretty.

Juliensaid there is no timetable for naming a new captain, noting the team is still digesting the trade and preparing for the start of camp.

"You want to make the right decision," he added. "I think it's very important that we have the right person in place. We'll deal with that in time."

Originally from Connecticut,Paciorettywas selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Canadiens at the 2007 NHLentry draft.

Canadiens players react:

Weber on Pacioretty's situation: "Losing is not fun"

6 years ago

Duration 1:11

The Canadiens defenceman spoke to the media at the team's golf tournament on Monday.

Tomas Plekanec on Pacioretty: "It's tough to see teammates go"

6 years ago

Duration 1:07

Plekanec spoke to the media about the trade of teammate Max Pacioretty early Monday morning.

Paciorettyis returning to the United States the homecountry he has represented on four occasions: the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, 2014 Winter Olympic Games, 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship and 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Tatar, originally from Slovakia, appeared in all 82 games with the Detroit Red Wings and the Golden Knights in 2017-18, recording 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists).

Suzuki a big get

He has played in 427 regular-season NHLgames with Detroit and Vegas, totalling 228 points (119 goals and 109 assists). He was selected in the second round, 60th overall, by Detroit at the 2009 NHLentry draft.

But the big get for the Habs is Suzuki, a top prospect who appeared in 64 games with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack last year. Heranked fourth overall in league in scoring with 100 points (42 goals, 58 assists). Suzuki is from London, Ont., andwasselected in the first round, 13th overall, by Vegas at the 2017 NHLentry draft.

Julien said Suzuki will join a group of young players he feels the team can build around.

"It's important that I be patient," he said. "It might be frustrating for fans at times [seeing] young guys making mistakes, but you have to look beyond that."

Habs fans react to the trade

As the sun rose in Montreal Monday, Habs fans were digesting news of the trade with mixed emotions.

Yves Dub said he has the feeling Marc Bergevin, general manager of the Canadiens, is desperateand other general managers are taking advantage.

"I didn'tlike the trade," Dub told CBC early Monday.

"There wereno negotiations going on with Pacioretty and the Canadiens, so I guess we knew it was coming,but I'm disappointed."

Trade a mistake?

Dub said he doesn't see the two new forwards as a good trade for the experienced captain. While there is a lot of talk about Pacioretty's poor performance last season, he said, the whole team had it rough.

James Miller said it was a mistake to trade Pacioretty, and hewould have kept the wingeraround a bit longer considering he was just made captain not long ago.

"I like how he got injured and came back stronger," said Miller. "Some people thought he wasn't going to come back and he came back."

Stphane Archambault, on the other hand, said he saw the trade as a good thing. Tatar is not a scorer like Pacioretty, he said, but "he's not bad."

"The mood will change.The new players will play," said Archambault.