The trade that sent Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights early Monday morning apparently was a long time coming.
Speaking at the Montreal Canadiens annual golf tournament on Monday, general manager Marc Bergevin told reporters that Pacioretty requested a trade last season on more than one occasion, according to TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie.
Bergevin added that while Pacioretty requested a move, he didn't disclose to the 29-year-old that he had intentions of trading him, according to TSN's John Lu.
Canadiens owner Geoff Molson backed Bergevin's claim, refuting previous assertions by Pacioretty and his agent that he did not ask for a trade, and that he wanted to be a Canadien long term.
#habs owner Geoff Molson on reports Pacioretty did not ask for a trade. "We're dealing with the truth ... a request was made." #canadiens #GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/1nxrr0P2pQ
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) September 10, 2018
On Friday, Pacioretty said on TSN690 he did not ask for a trade (his agent, @walsha, said Max never requested trade a week prior).
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 10, 2018
This morning, Habs GM and owner said Max did ask for a trade.
So, that’s that.
Meanwhile, with Pacioretty no longer in the picture, Bergevin says the team will take a few weeks to decide on a new captain, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
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