The Washington Capitals signed free agent forward Max Pacioretty and acquired defenseman Joel Edmundson in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Pacioretty agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal that includes up to $2 million more in performance incentives.
“Max has proven to be a consistent goal scorer in his career and has the necessary skill set to play in every situation,” general manager Brian MacLellan said. “We’re confident he’ll be a great contributor to our team at a cap number that suits our club.”
Pacioretty, 34, was limited to five games with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2022-23 due to a torn right Achilles, finishing with three goals.
Pacioretty has 645 points (326 goals, 319 assists) in 855 games with the Canadiens (2008-18), Vegas Golden Knights (2018-22) and Hurricanes. He has recorded six 30-goal seasons.
The Capitals sent third- and seventh-round draft picks in 2024 to Montreal in exchange for Edmundson.
The Canadiens will retain 50 percent of Edmundson’s contract. He carries a $3.5 million cap hit in 2023-24, the final season of a four-year, $14 million deal signed with Montreal in September 2020.
Edmundson, who turned 30 on Wednesday, had two goals and 11 assists in 61 games for the Canadiens in 2022-23. The 6-foot-5 Manitoba native ranked second among Montreal defensemen in hits (112) and blocked shots (149).
He won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019 and has 104 points (28 goals, 76 assists) and 438 penalty minutes in 477 games with the Blues (2015-19), Carolina Hurricanes (2019-20) and Canadiens.
–Field Level Media
