Pacioretty learning from 'dual-threat option' Vanek

Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty gives The Montreal Gazette his impressions of new teammate Thomas Vanek.

“Vanek has had a lot of offensive production in his career and it shows,” Pacioretty said. “He’s a dual-threat option — he can make plays and score. I’m learning a lot from him and I hope it can carry over in my career.

“We still have our moments when we think someone is going to be somewhere else and I think that’s what makes Vanek so unique and creative as a player — he seems to be in different areas than where most people think he’ll be.

“Hockey players are like robots, almost. We’re programmed to all play the same way and it’s like (Vanek) just plays completely different from anyone I’ve seen. I think that’s what throws off the other team’s defenders, and why he has so much success.”

On Vanek's status as an unrestricted free agent this summer, Pacioretty says, “He’s having fun right now. We want to get some results in the playoffs and I think that’s the real way you persuade a player — he sees the potential of this team. The way we play in the playoffs will probably dictate the way he leans.”

Source: Dave Stubbs, Montreal Gazette