Pacioretty, Canadiens discuss contract extension: report

Max Pacioretty and the Montreal Canadiens have had talks regarding a contract extension for the forward, who can become an unrestricted free agent after next season, TSN reported Friday.

The 29-year-old Canadiens captain has one season remaining on a six-year contract. He was the subject of trade rumors prior to the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 26.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin and Pacioretty's agent, Pat Brisson, have discussed an extension, which Pacioretty could sign as soon as July 1, Darren Dreger of TSN said.
Pacioretty had 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 64 games this season, missing the final 18 games with a knee injury. The Canadiens (29-40-13) finished sixth in the Atlantic Division and 26 points behind the New Jersey Devils for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

"We're all human," Pacioretty said after the season. "I was more frustrated I guess with my game that it got to the point where those rumors were surrounding me. I've said it so many times before, I love playing in Montreal. I take a lot pride in playing for Montreal. I've had a lot of success playing in Montreal and I'm very proud of that.
"Ideally, what I want to be is a Montreal Canadien for life. But you know that things aren't ideal right now so, obviously, things will change. I'm not sure what, and we'll see what happens."
Selected by Montreal in the first round (No. 22) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Pacioretty has 448 points (226 goals, 222 assists) in 626 regular-season games during 10 seasons with the Canadiens. He has 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 38 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Pacioretty is a five-time 30-goal scorer, including four straight seasons from 2013-17.