I think MTL would need some more then Ethan Bear and a 1st. AKA Bear would need to be upgraded or another B level prospect is included(Bensen, Calab Jones)
The first is probably the starting point(probably a pick from 16th-27th) given Pacioretty's past performances.

I’m not giving Bear and a 1st. I think it’s an overpayment imo.

Bear still has so much upside and really young.

The Devils were never going to add a first in that trade and it is crazy to think that was a realistic scenario based on revisionist history. At the time Taylor Hall was a great player but he wasn't a star and Adam Larsson was one of the best defensive defenseman in the league. The Devils went from top 10 in goals against to bottom 5 after trading Larsson so let's not act like the Devils sacrificed nothing. Taylor Hall made a ginormous leap this year and it's ridiculous to go back to a trade 2 years ago and factor in this season especially since it was a career year. In reality, the devils would have added someone like John Quenneville or Joseph Blendisi and another decent forward prospect. Nobody was asking for this first round pick in this deal last year when Hall was playing similarly to what he was in Edmonton and Larsson helped the Oilers stop being so horrendous in the d zone and make the playoffs. If anything your fan base should be talking about the Griffin Reinhat trade and giving up the picks to get Barzal and Beaulivier, not a trade where you get a top 4 RHD who is elite defensively .

oh I definitely despise that trade way more but this one is more interesting to play around on cap friendly imo.