Report: Max Pacioretty retiring from NHL despite interest from multiple teams

It looks like Max Pacioretty is ready to hang up his skates.

According to The Leafs Nation’s Nick Alberga, Pacioretty is set to retire from the NHL despite interest from multiple teams across the league. Per Alberga, the 36-year-old is now working with the University of Michigan.

Despite interest from multiple clubs over the summer, Max Pacioretty appears to be hanging up his skates.

He is now working with the University of Michigan.

— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) September 29, 2025

The former Montreal Canadiens captain made headlines last season when he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout agreement, later signing a one-year, $873,770 deal. In 37 games played with the Leafs last year, Pacioretty recorded five goals and eight assists, but then really kicked things into another gear for the playoffs.

Pacioretty made 11 postseason appearances with the Maple Leafs, recording three goals and eight points in 11 games, impressive numbers considering his age and low cap hit. Most notably, Pacioretty scored the game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of the first round to send the Maple Leafs to the conference semifinals.

Selected 22nd overall by the Canadiens in the 2007 NHL Draft, Pacioretty boasts a long and impressive career. In 939 games played, Pacioretty posted 335 goals and 681 total points. Through 89 playoff appearances, he added 28 goals and 58 points. He played in Montreal for 10 years before four seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, reaching the conference finals three times across that span.

Pacioretty later appeared with the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals before finishing his career in Toronto. Pacioretty also appeared internationally with Team USA, playing at the 2012 World Juniors, the 2012 IIHF World Championships, the 2014 Olympic Games, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

At his end-of-year media availability, Pacioretty hinted that retirement may be in the cards for him after a difficult year battling injury, saying:

“This year was very difficult for me, being away from my family, so I’m really excited just to get home and be with them, and talk to them about what’s next in life,” Pacioretty said. “But in terms of playing, that’s difficult to answer right now.”

While it’s reported that a number of teams were interested in bringing him back for another year, it looks like he playing days are officially coming to a close, as he takes on a role with the University of Michigan. Originally from New Canaan, Connecticut, Pacioretty played a year at Michigan in the 2007-08 season before joining with the Canadiens organization.

Best of luck to Patches in the next step of his career!