The First Goal of the Maple Leafs' 2024-25 Season Scored by Unlikely Newcomer

It's been a long road back to full health for Max Pacioretty, who had suffered a pair of gruesome Achilles injuries in back to back seasons before finally making a triumphant return with the Washington Capitals last season.

Pacioretty joined the Maple Leafs on a PTO this fall, and after a sensational performance during training camp, his PTO was deemed successful, setting him up for a standard player contract with the Leafs, worth up to $1.5M, if both of his performance bonuses pay out. Pacioretty will earn a little over $313,000 if he plays 10 games and another installment of the same amount if he plays 35 games.

After playing a solid game against his former team in Montreal last night, in which he was not rewarded for his quality play, Pacioretty opened up the scoring for the Leafs on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. It was such a feel-good moment for the soon to be 36-year-old.

Pacioretty, a former multi-time 30-goal scorer is no stranger to finding the back of the net, but this one has to feel a little extra special to him, given where he was a year or so ago, with his NHL career in doubt.