Leafs' Craig Berube reveals how he truly feels about Max Pacioretty's physical play
Craig Berube spoke to the media about how he truly feels regarding Max Pacioretty's physical play and said it is rubbing off on the rest of the team.
At 35, an age when most professional hockey players start to slow down, Max Pacioretty is still finding ways to catch his opponents off guard. Since signing a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs after the preseason, Pacioretty has recorded two goals and four assists in his first 11 games with the team.
Outside of the goals, Pacioretty has brought some physicality into the lineup; he presently sits second in hits with 33, but he has played three fewer games than both Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz. His physical presence has been huge regarding the new style the team has adopted under head coach Craig Berube.
Pacioretty has been centering a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, combining skill and brawn. His game remains intense yet calculated. During his recent tilt against the Boston Bruins, he was originally handed a major penalty for a hit on Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke.
«I just knew it was clean,» Pacioretty said. «I was yelling. If it looked like I was frustrated, it was because I didn't know that they could overturn it.
«I thought the rule was you can reverse a five down to a two, but they got it right. It's unfortunate to see a guy get injured, never trying to do that at all.»
Upon review, referees Pierre Lambert and Brian Pochmara rescinded the major penalty. That meant Pacioretty was allowed to finish a game that merely reinforced his biggest asset in Berube's system: an ability to skate right up to the line without stepping over it.
«I think it rubs off on the whole team,» Berube said. «It's an important part of our game, being physical. He is doing a great job of it.»
More so than the numbers, however, Max Pacioretty brings in a mix of skill and physicality that fits the evolving style under Craig Berube. His veteran presence will be huge down the stretch, and the fact that he can bring that physical element without taking unnecessary penalties is huge.
POLL |
Will Max Pacioretty play the majority of games this year? |
Yes | 38 | 54.3 % |
No | 32 | 45.7 % |
List of polls |
|
10 hours ago | By Tom Banks Former 30-goal scorer from the Pittsburgh Penguins becoming genuine trade target for Toronto Maple Leafs |
|
11 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Injury update on NHL legend Alex Ovechkin: Capitals fans are excited |
|
12 hours ago | By Tom Banks Edmonton Oilers biggest rival reportedly tried to land Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg this summer |
|
14 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj has just learned his suspension fate from the Department of Player Safety |
|
15 hours ago | By Tom Banks Toronto Maple Leafs get major boost as two veteran's return to practice |
|
17 hours ago | By Tom Banks PK Subban takes shots at Brad Marchand and the Boston Bruins with his latest social media post |
|
19 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Montreal Canadiens' big boss Jeff Gorton absolutely fuming over weekend events |
|
21 hours ago | By Julien Trekker Two Pittsburgh Penguins Players Are as Good as Gone, According to The Athletic |
Previously on HouseOfHockey