NHL insider David Pagnotta tends to have inside information on trades in the NHL, and he has recently linked a towering Canadiens defenseman to the Oilers. David <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/the-oilers-desperately-need-defensemen-and-three-have-emerged-as-front-runners-per-nhl-insider' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Savard's name has been linked with the Edmonton Oilers for months</a>, and remarks this week from insider David Pagnotta have provided new life to the speculation. With Alexandre Carrier apparently set to fill David Savard's place in Montreal, and the <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/elliotte-friedman-has-revealed-stan-bowman-and-the-oilers-are-targeting-big-name-defensemen' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Oilers' hunt for a stable veteran blue liner</a> to help steady Connor McDavid's team burning bright, here's David Pagnotta's take on the issue. Several defensemen are linked to the Oilers, including Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brian Dumoulin, and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov. Savard is a right-handed shot, while Provorov can play both sides. - David Pagnotta <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TFP/status/1875259095168733321'> </a></blockquote></div> Savard's contract is up after this season, and Kent Hughes has three options. He can either hold on to Savard and run the risk of losing him as a free agent come summer, he can trade him by the deadline for assets in return, or he can sign him to a contract extension to ensure he remains in Montreal long-term. This situation will be a story to watch in the upcoming weeks, as <a href='https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/ex-lightning-defender-connected-to-maple-leafs-oilers' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Oilers still want Savard's services</a>. There is a bit of a footnote to add here. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/player/david-savard-8475233' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Savard</a> has been out of action of late, missing consecutive games versus Chicago and Colorado. Fortunately, his reason for missing time doesn't appear to be an injury of too much significance. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1769163948513800532'> </a></blockquote></div> At 34 years old, Savard has notched 10 points in 35 games this season with a plus-1 rating and 22 penalty minutes. But he brings so much more to the table than what goes onto the stat sheet, which makes him a highly valued presence both on and off the ice.