In this week’s edition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman looks at the fallout from the NCAA decision and how it will open door for players.
Max Pacioretty‘s night ended early Saturday.
The veteran winger left the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ game against the Montreal Canadiens at the end of the first period with a lower-body injury.
The Maple Leafs announced during the second period that he would not return.
Facing his former team, Pacioretty took a crosscheck to the back from Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson. As he fell to the ice, he immediately grabbed his left thigh, appearing to be in discomfort.
Prior to that, Pacioretty had also taken a hard fall after tripping over the foot of another Canadiens defenceman, David Savard.
The 35-year-old left the ice with help from teammates John Tavares and Ryan Reaves, then was assisted to the locker room by two trainers.
Entering Saturday’s contest, Pacioretty had six points (two goals, four assists) in 12 games this season, his first with the Maple Leafs.