In sports sometimes guys get different reputations when they go to different teams. Younger players mature and become better leaders with age. Sometimes changes of scenery alone help do this.I have mentioned his lack of leadership, especially when he was in Montreal. He was known to have some Prima Dona attitude and played a role in dissensions in the team. Now, this could have changed, it seems he was very appreciated in the Golden Knights locker room.
What we do know is the Leafs have some prima donnas on their team and severe leadership issues. Any team with the amount of younger talent they have needs a mix of veterans to go with it.
A good historical example in hockey is when the Islanders in the late 1970s acquired Butch Goring. Similarly when the NJ Devils brought in Claude Lemieux. 1995, anyone remember the sweep of the Vaunted Red Wings? Lemieux was a prime time player and gave their team a feistiness it didn't previously have.
Just what Pacioretty has done in terms of work and rehab off the ice to get back in shape may set an example to the Leafs of the kind of work ethic they need to have to stop the 1st round playoff eliminations.