Today a new report from David Staples of The Edmonton Journal has connected the Oilers to NHL veteran Max Pacioretty in free agency. The Edmonton Oilers <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/trades/nhl-insiders-link-oilers-in-possible-blockbuster-trade-for-two-penguins-30-goal-scorers' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>continue to scour the free agent and trade market</a> for upgrades to their forward group. After losing Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson, and Evander Kane the Oilers forward group remains thin and in need of a major upgrade. At this point in the offseason, the free agent market is thin and most of the true game changing players come with significant risk. One of those players still available is 36-year-old former star forward Max Pacioretty. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/drew22shore/status/1949215485742243915'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Similar to Corey Perry from last season Pacioretty is in the twilight of his illustrious career with likely only a couple more seasons left in him. David Staples of The Edmonton Journal believes the risk of health issues and age associated with Pacioretty are worth the potential upside he still possesses. <h3>Edmonton Oilers Connected To Former Montreal Canadiens Captain</h3> In a recent piece for The Edmonton Journal, Staples highlighted Pacioretty as one of the best remaining players the Oilers should consider landing. Indications are that Pacioretty will sign elsewhere if he decides to play one more NHL season at age 37. I'm not an insider telling you the Oilers are keen on him or he's keen on the Oilers. But in looking at what Edmonton now needs, having lost power forwards Evander Kane and Dylan Holloway in the past two years - David Staples As Staples mentions, Pacioretty plays a similar game to that of Evander Kane but has struggled to stay healthy playing at most 48 games over the last 5 seasons. If the Oilers were to target Pacioretty they would have to put a plan in place to use him sparingly during the regular season. Then once the Stanley Cup Playoffs come the Oilers could lean on Pacioretty's freshness for the stretch run. While this move is still unlikely Stan Bowman and the Oilers should take a look at Pacioretty if they feel the need for more veteran presence to replace the forwards they lost.