After three weeks in Switzerland, Max Pacioretty is heading home.
According to RDS, Ambri Piotta of the Swiss League announced on Tuesday that the Montreal Canadiens winger is heading back to North America, as he has not been able to play because of the flu and inflamation in his elbow.
Pacioretty will receive treatment in North America and a reutrn to the Swiss League would depend on the length of his recovery and any possible progress in resolving the NHL lockout.
The 23-year-old led Montreal last season with 65 points in 79 games and was second in goal-scoring with 33 goals, two fewer than teammate Erik Cole.
He signed a six-year contract extension with the Canadiens in August worth US$27-million, an average of $4.5 million per season.
Since the Habs drafted Pacioretty 22nd overall in the 2007 NHL draft, he's scored 53 goals and 61 assists for 114 points in 202 career NHL games.
