Two days after the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 36-year-old forward told reporters he hasn’t yet decided whether or not the 2024-25 season was his last in the NHL.

Pacioretty said Tuesday it was difficult navigating the season away from his family. He said he’s looking forward to being home with them and will take his time when it comes to what’s next — and where that might be.

Pacioretty signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs after attending training camp on a PTO. He’s dealt with several significant injuries in the past few seasons, including tearing his Achilles twice in the span of a year in 2022-23 while with the Carolina Hurricanes.

This season, he was limited to just 37 games, and he was sidelined down the stretch as he dealt with an undisclosed injury. But his impact was immediate upon his return to the Maple Leafs lineup in the first round of the playoffs this spring. He brought a much-needed physical presence to Toronto’s bottom-six — a role the former top-liner has embraced with the Maple Leafs. He scored the game- and series-winner against the Ottawa Senators in Game 6, and in 11 playoff games with Toronto registered three goals and eight points — including three straight multi-point games to close out Ottawa and open the second-round series against Florida.

Prior to joining the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty spent one year each in Washington and Carolina, though he was limited to just five games with the Hurricanes. He spent four years in Vegas after departing Montreal, where he played the first 10 years of his career and served as captain for three of them.