Oilers takeaways: Newcomers stand out in pre-season win over Jets

EDMONTON — The goaltending was solid, Ryan Shea looked like he could hang with the top unit, and like it or not, Alex Formenton looks like he might just be able to help the Edmonton Oilers this season.

Formenton scored a goal and had four shots on net in 16:47 of ice time. He may have been the best Oilers player in his pre-season debut, with above-average speed and size. Early on, it appears he might be a useful penalty killer and depth winger.

The Oilers iced a far more veteran roster than did the Winnipeg Jets, and the final score of 5-2 was no surprise. Here are our takeaways from the first of four preseason games:

It’s been a long time for Alex Formenton, who has not played a National Hockey League game since April 29, 2022.

Upon his return, however, he wasted no time re-establishing himself as an NHL player.

“Pretty good, eh?” said head coach Mike Babcock. “I mean, what a difference maker he's going to be for us. An elite penalty killer, puts pressure on the other team. I thought him, (Mathieu Joseph and Colton Dach) were unreal. That was my favourite line tonight by far.”

Formenton scored a breakaway goal, was thwarted on another breakaway, and then had to be hauled down on a third rush, drawing a penalty — all resulting from his superior foot speed.

“It was nice to get a goal, but it was nice to get the legs moving and get back up to pace,” Formenton said.

Outside the arena, a group of about 100 people protested Formenton’s signing by the Oilers, after he and four others were acquitted in the Hockey Canada scandal. He was asked about the protest:

“To be honest, I’ve been laser-focused on trying to make this team and get better every day. Whatever role that I have on this team, trying to perfect that,” he said. “I want to do everything possible to make the most out of this opportunity.”

When Formenton’s name was announced inside the building as a goal scorer, no boos were heard among the fans. They cheered no differently than they did for the other four scoring announcements.

“It was very welcoming,” he said. “(He’s) just trying to do everything I can to show that support back.”

Ryan Shea scored the game’s first goal on a nice dangle, while Dach closed the scoring with an empty-netter.

Shea ended the night with a goal and two assists. He played 22:31 next to Evan Bouchard (four assists) on the Oilers' top pairing, and for one game at least, Shea showed he can hang with that unit that includes Connor McDavid , Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin at forward.