Max Pacioretty May Have Just Changed His Mind About Returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty has a big decision to make in free agency, although it would appear as though a Canadian team has swept in.
Max Pacioretty was a solid veteran presence on the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, and he was a beast in the playoffs.
As it stands, the forward remains a free agent, although there are plenty of teams interested in his services, including the Leafs themselves.
However, according to David Staples of the Edmonton Journal, the Oilers might be the team to swoop in right now.
Max Pacioretty to the Edmonton Oilers?
As Staples writes, Pacioretty would be the perfect replacement for Corey Perry. Perry recently signed with the Los Angeles Kings, and the Oilers are looking for an inexpensive veteran presence.
«All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts. But there's one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue,» Staples wrote. «This doesn't mean this veteran NHL forward will sign with the Oilers. But his skillset, think Corey Perry, only far more physical, fits with what Edmonton needs and would provide said free agent forward, Max Pacioretty, with a solid chance of winning his first Stanley Cup."
While Staples isn't so sure that Pacioretty will go to the Oilers, he does believe this is the forward's best option going forward.
«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,» Staples added. «But in looking at what Edmonton now needs, having lost power forwards Evander Kane and Dylan Holloway in the past two years, as well as aggressive forwards Warren Foegele, Corey Perry, Connor Brown and Viktor Arvidsson - Pacioretty would might well be an excellent fit here, especially come playoff time.»
A few weeks ago, James Mirtle claimed that Pacioretty was interested in reuniting with the Maple Leafs. With that in mind, it's hard to say what is about to happen next.
«One piece of good news over the past few days is that UFA Max Pacioretty is leaning toward a return after the Leafs expressed considerable interest in keeping him following a terrific postseason, according to a league source,» Mirtle wrote at the time
Max Pacioretty can still produce at a high level in the NHL level and any team will be lucky to have him. That said, Leafs fans are holding out hope that he returns.
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