Alex Formenton spoke to the media for the first time since signing with the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, addressing both his return to the NHL and the controversy surrounding his signing.
Edmonton signed the 26-year-old winger to a one-year contract carrying an $850,000 average annual value. It marks Formenton’s first NHL contract since his final season with the Ottawa Senators in 2021-22.
When asked whether he believes he can step into the lineup immediately, Formenton pointed to the work he put in over the offseason. “It’s a different pace, I’ve had a good summer of training and skating and I’m ready to take that next step.”
There will naturally be questions about how quickly Formenton can adjust after several years away from the NHL. He spent three of the past four seasons with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland, producing 33 goals and 52 points in 88 games. Last season, he recorded 13 goals and 23 points in 42 games.
Formenton Addresses Controversy
Formenton was also asked about those who don’t support the Oilers’ decision to sign him.
“Throughout this whole process I’ve been open and honest about my actions and that has granted me an opportunity today.”
Formenton was one of five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team charged with sexual assault and was acquitted at trial. An independent Hockey Canada appeal board later determined that all five players breached the organization’s code of conduct, but Formenton was the only player granted immediate reinstatement to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
What Formenton Could Bring to the Oilers
From a hockey perspective, Edmonton is betting on speed and penalty-killing ability.
Formenton’s best NHL season came under current Oilers associate coach D.J. Smith in Ottawa. In 2021-22, he scored 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games, with five of those goals coming shorthanded. He also logged 150:27 on the penalty kill, second among Senators forwards. That skill set could immediately help an Oilers team dealing with injuries to Matt Savoie and Mattias Janmark entering camp.
Formenton isn’t being brought in to drive Edmonton’s offence. His path to a regular role will likely come through his skating, forechecking and penalty killing. If his speed translates after several seasons away from the NHL, the Oilers may have found a relatively inexpensive bottom-six option capable of creating chances in transition and making their penalty kill more dangerous.
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