Bergevin: Trade was contingent on Pacioretty signing long term in Vegas

Don't be surprised if Max Pacioretty inks an extension with the Vegas Golden Knights in the coming days.

Related: Canadiens trade Pacioretty to Vegas

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin told reporters Monday that the trade was contingent on Pacioretty signing a long-term deal in Vegas, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

Talks between Pacioretty's camp and the Golden Knights are already underway, reports TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie.

For Golden Knights GM George McPhee, the clause in the deal was necessary. He gave up a first, second, and a third-round pick to acquire Tomas Tatar at last year's trade deadline, then flipped Tatar, top prospect Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick to get Pacioretty, whose contract expires after this season. Without this contingency, McPhee would be giving up a haul for a rental player.

What Pacioretty's extension will look like remains to be seen, but there are a few interesting comparable contracts that were signed this summer. Evander Kane, 27, signed a seven-year, $49-million deal with the San Jose Sharks in May. James Neal, 31, inked a five-year contract in Calgary worth $5.75 million annually. James van Riemsdyk, 29, returned to the Philadelphia Flyers on a five-year, $35-million contract. Pacioretty's extension could potentially fall somewhere between these three.

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