Pacioretty is a perfect example of "Die a hero a live long enough to see yourself become the villain"
Max used to be loved until people had expectations that were beyond his pedigree.
The same would've happened to other young players who shall not be named if they got the roles people envisioned for them.
The problem is and has always been a lack of high end talent. It forces guys like Max to expectations they cannot meet.
This isn't to say Max's playoff no shows are that simple but it doesn't help.
This guy should get traded because as the quote says, he's lived long enough to be the villain.
Thats the part I'm not totally sure about, is it people or himself, or the team for that matter. He fit the Bergevin mold perfectly, no flavor what so ever, and then the Bergevin team selected him to be captain. A perfect image of this team, absolutely no leadership and accountability. Sure he blames himself in front of the media but does absolutely nothing to change that perception on the ice, season after season. He got hurt with Chara, everyone understands this can be life changing, seeing myself being pulled off the ice on a stretcher would scare the hell out of me too. But then why do you opt to be in the spotlight by wearing the C (even if it is the team who selected you, you have the option to decline and have someone else take the spotlight) and acting like the defacto leader, only on your terms though. How he acted towards Subban shows his lack of leadership, then there's this article I read somewhere that he would not stay with the team if the C is removed, are you kidding me? There are have been loads more impactful players who have lost the captaincy, and second who are you to decide that? You're under contract, you'll play for this team with a big smile on your face if we decide to slap an F on your jersey, thats what leaders do.